FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 453
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SHIELDS.
Read 1st time February 6, 2003, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
1593S.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 167, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to meningitis vaccinations.
Section A.Chapter 167, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 167.182, to read as follows:
167.182.1.The department of health, after consultation with the department of higher education, shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the vaccination against meningococcal disease to be required of students enrolled in an institution of higher education who reside in on-campus student housing.The vaccinations required and the manner and frequency of their administration shall conform to recognized standards of medical practice.The department of health shall supervise and secure the enforcement of the required vaccination program.
2.Except as provided in subsection 3 of this section, a student enrolled in an institution of higher education who resides in on-campus student housing shall be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.
3.A student is exempt from the vaccination requirement in subsection 2 if:
(1)The institution of higher education provides detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and effectiveness of meningitis vaccine to the student, if the student is eighteen years of age or older, or the student's parent or guardian, if the student is a minor; and
(2)The student, if eighteen years of age or older, or student's parent or guardian has received and reviewed the information provided and has chosen not to have the student vaccinated against meningococcal disease.
4.Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any institution of higher education to provide or pay for vaccinations against meningococcal disease.Any student, if the student is eighteen years of age or older, or student's parent or guardian, if the student is a minor, choosing not to receive a meningitis vaccination must notify, in writing, the student health office of his or her institution of higher education of his or her decision not to be vaccinated.