SCS/SB 112 - This act allows parents to refuse to vaccinate their children for religious, philosophical, or medical reasons.

Section 167.181, RSMo, allows a parent to exempt their school-age child from vaccination by providing a written objection citing religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, or medical reasons prior to the first day of the child attending school. If the objection is due to medical contraindications, a statement from the child's physician to the school is required. For religious or philosophical reasons, a parent must file a written objection with the superintendent. The Department shall proscribe exemption forms for a parent to file with the superintendent. The SCS allows parents or guardians to object in writing to a vaccination for religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, and medical reasons prior to the first day the child attends school. Parents or guardians objecting because of religious or philosophical beliefs must file a written objection with the superintendent on an exemption form proscribed by the Department. Within two weeks of the child attending school, the parent must submit either proof of vaccination or an exemption form attesting that the parent has made an informed decision.

Currently, Section 210.003, RSMo, allows a parent to exempt a daycare-age child from vaccination by providing a written objection citing either medical contraindications or reasons as determined by the Department of Health and Senior Services. This act removes the provision allowing the Department to stipulate the reasons for an exemption and instead permits a parent to exempt a child through written objection only. For the medical exemption, a licensed physician must still certify that the vaccination would endanger the child's health or life. Parents may use either their own exemption forms or the exemption forms provided by the Department.

This act is similar to SB 951 (2002).
LORIE TOWE