SB260
By Senator Means
RFD Education
Rd 1 10-FEB-04SYNOPSIS:

Under existing law, every student enrolled in a public or private K-12 school in this state, unless specifically exempted, is required to have a current certification of immunization on file with the school.

This bill would require each first-time student enrollee of a public or private four-year institution of higher education in the state, who is housed on campus, to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

This bill would provide an exemption for certain first-time student enrollees who sign a waiver regarding vaccination for meningococcal disease.

This bill would also require each public or private four-year institution of higher education in the state to distribute information on meningococcal disease to first-time student enrollees or the parents or guardians of such enrollees.

A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

Relating to higher education; to require certain first-time student enrollees at public and private four-year institutions of higher education in the state to be vaccinated for meningococcal disease; to permit the waiver of vaccination for certain students; and to require institutions of higher education to distribute information on meningococcal disease to first-time student enrollees or the parents or guardians of such enrollees.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. (a) For the purposes of this section, the term "educational institution" means any public or private four-year institution of higher education located in the state.

(b) Each first-time student enrollee of an educational institution who is housed on campus shall be vaccinated against meningococcal disease, unless the student enrollee is exempted pursuant to either of the following:

(1) A first-time student enrollee who is 19 years of age or older is exempt from the vaccination requirement of this section if the educational institution provides detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability and effectiveness of any vaccine to the enrollee and the enrollee signs a written waiver, on a form approved by the Department of Public Health, stating that the enrollee has received and reviewed the information provided and has chosen not to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

(2) A first-time student enrollee who is under the age of 19 is exempt from the vaccination requirement of this section if the educational institution provides detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability and effectiveness of any vaccine to the parent or legal guardian of the enrollee and the parent or legal guardian of the enrollee signs a written waiver, on a form approved by the Department of Public Health, stating that the parent or legal guardian of the enrollee has received and reviewed the information provided and has chosen not to have the enrollee vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

(c) The Department of Public Health shall be consulted regarding the preparation of the informational materials provided pursuant to this section.

(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that educational institutions with constitutionally created boards of trustees and all privately funded educational institutions comply with the requirements of this section.

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.