HB19-1312 (Mullica & Gonzalez/Priola) School Immunization Requirements
Summary
The bill would enhance Colorado’s process and procedures around immunization exemption for school and child care enrollment across the state. It will require the Department of Public Health and Environment to develop a standardized form and submission process for individuals to claim a medical, religious, or personal belief exemption to an immunization. In order to claim a personal or religious belief exemption for their child, this bill would require parents to submit the standardized form to the Department of Public Health and Environment or the appropriate county health agency. Parents whose students are homeschooled would be exempt from this requirement.
Position
The Colorado Children’s Campaign supports this bill because immunizations are important tools for protecting kids from serious and once-common illnesses. Current law makes it easier for parents to claim an exemption rather than follow the recommended vaccination schedule and we know that easy exemption policies lead to more exemptions. High exemption rates make communities vulnerable to outbreaks and jeopardize the health for newborn babies and individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to compromised immune systems. Our Vice President of Health Initiatives, Erin Miller, testified in support of the bill in the House Health and Insurance Committee.
Current Status
The bill died on the Senate calendar because the Senate did not vote on the bill prior to the end of the legislative session.
Previous Statuses
April 12, 2019
Assigned to the House Health and Insurance committee where it will be heard on Apr. 15 at 1:30pm in the Old State Library.
April 19, 2019
Laid over on Thurs. Apr., 18 in the Senate where it will be heard daily.
April 26, 2019
Scheduled to be heard in the House Apr. 25. Final Passage.
