This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to provide religious and philosophical exemptions for the immunization of school children. It clarifies the exemption procedure, allowing a child to be exempt from mandatory immunization if a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner provides a written statement indicating that a specific immunization may be detrimental to the child's health. Additionally, the bill requires healthcare providers to report the number of children granted exemptions and their respective counties to the State Health Officer, who will compile and report this information annually to the Joint Committee on Health.

The bill also mandates that schools and state-regulated child care centers maintain a report on the number of exempt children and prohibits them from restricting exempt children from participating in extracurricular activities or attending school-based events. Furthermore, it allows individuals harmed by violations of this section by public schools to seek injunctive relief in court. Overall, the legislation aims to balance public health requirements with individual rights regarding immunization exemptions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-3-4