2019 -- H 5165

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LC000602

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - OFFENSES PERTAINING TO SCHOOLS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morin, Casey, Phillips, Vella-Wilkinson, and Johnston

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 16-38-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-38 entitled "Offenses

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Pertaining to Schools [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is

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hereby amended to read as follows:

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     16-38-2. Immunization.

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     (a) Every person upon entering any public or private school including any college or

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university in this state as a pupil shall furnish to the administrative head of the school evidence

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that the person has been immunized against any diseases that may from time to time be prescribed

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by regulation of the director of health and tested for tuberculosis, or a certificate from a licensed

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physician stating that the person is not a fit subject for immunization for medical reasons, or a

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certificate signed by the pupil, if over eighteen (18) years of age, or by the parent or guardian

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stating that immunization and/or testing for communicable diseases is contrary to that person's

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personal, philosophical, or religious beliefs. It shall be the responsibility of the administrative

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head of the school to secure compliance with these regulations.

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     (b) Every child more than twenty-four (24) months of age, resident in the state of Rhode

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Island, shall be eligible to receive the immunization against meningococcal disease. The

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Department of Health shall include meningococcal vaccine in the department's immunization

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program, established by ยง 23-1-44.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - OFFENSES PERTAINING TO SCHOOLS

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     This act would provide an exception to required school immunizations for pupils whose

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personal, philosophical, or religious beliefs are contrary to immunization and/or testing.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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