Purpose

This bill updates Minnesota’s immunization exemption rules. It adds an educational step for people seeking exemptions, creates a government-approved immunization education module, and adds a process for temporarily excluding exempt students during disease outbreaks. It also redirects funding to develop the education module.

Main Provisions

• Exemptions from immunizations (subdivision 3)

  • Age-based exemptions for specific vaccines:
  • Pertussis: a person age 7 or older who has not been immunized against pertussis must not be required to be immunized against pertussis.
  • Poliomyelitis: a person age 18 or older who has not completed the poliomyelitis immunization series must not be required to be immunized against polio.
  • Measles, rubella, or mumps: children under 15 months are not required to be immunized against these diseases.
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): a person age 5 or older is not required to be immunized against Hib.
  • Medical exemptions: a doctor’s statement that an immunization is medically contraindicated or that the person has adequate immunity means the vaccine is not required.
  • Conscientiously held beliefs: a notarized statement by a parent/guardian (or emancipated person) and the provider confirming compliance with the exemption requirements means the vaccine is not required.
  • Online-only learners: Minnesota residents enrolled in online courses with no teacher contact are not subject to the immunization statement and related requirements.

• Educational consultation before exemption (Sec. 2, Subd.3c)

  • Parents/guardians or emancipated persons seeking an exemption must complete an educational consultation with the person’s health care provider.
  • In the consultation, the provider reviews information about the risks and benefits of immunizations (aligned with the state health department or a recommended organization).
  • The provider must verify that the exemption-seeker reviewed the immunizations education module (see next section) and, if requested, sign the exemption statement.

• Immunizations education module (Sec. 3d)

  • The Minnesota Department of Health must develop and provide an immunizations education module about the risks and benefits of vaccines.
  • The Department decides what the content, delivery method, and length will be.

• Disease outbreak and school exclusion (Sec. 4)

  • If the Department issues a written outbreak determination for a disease that requires an immunization, schools/child care facilities may exclude exempt students.
  • To return, the student or emancipated person must show either:
  • documentation of appropriate immunization, or
  • a valid exemption for the disease (as described in the exemption provisions).
  • The outbreak determination ends when the Department finds the outbreak no longer meets the triggering conditions.

• Definitions (Sec. 5)

  • Clarifies terms like “elementary or secondary school,” “person enrolled,” “child care facility,” “family child care,” “group family child care,” and “provider.”
  • Defines “medically acceptable standards” as immunization recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Defines who counts as a “provider” (licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse).

• Appropriation for the module (Sec. 6)

  • In fiscal year 2027, there is a one-time general-fund appropriation to the Department of Health to develop and provide the immunizations education module.

Significant Changes from Current Law

• Adds a mandatory educational step and documentation before most conscientious or medical exemptions are granted.
• Creates an official immunizations education module to ensure families understand vaccine risks and benefits.
• Gives the Department of Health new authority to issue outbreak-based exclusions for exempt students and to require immunization or exemption documentation to re-enter.
• Broadens and clarifies exemptions for certain ages and conditions, with notarized statements and provider involvement.
• Establishes a dedicated funding source (one-time appropriation) to implement the education module.

Practical Implications

• Families seeking immunization exemptions will face an educational process and potential verification steps.
• Schools and child care facilities may enforce temporary exclusions during outbreaks for exempt students.
• Health providers play a larger role in educating families and validating exemption documentation.
• There is a statewide framework for a standardized immunization education module.

Relevant Terms

• immunizations
• exemptions
• conscientiously held beliefs
• medical contraindication
• educational consultation
• immunizations education module
• commissioner of health
• disease outbreak
• exclusion
• documentation of immunization
• exemption statement
• notarized
• provider (licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) immunization recommendations
• online learning exemption
• child care facility
• elementary or secondary school
• family child care
• group family child care
• general fund appropriation
• one-time appropriation