Purpose

This bill aims to change immunization provisions in Minnesota by updating the definitions and the process for establishing immunization schedules for schools and child care settings. It also repeals a Minnesota Rules provision related to immunization requirements.

Main Provisions

• Definitions updated (Section 121A.15, subdivision 9):

  • Elementary or secondary school: Now includes public schools and nonpublic schools, as well as church or religious organizations or home schools that follow specific state education requirements.
  • Person enrolled in any elementary or secondary school: Includes someone born after 1956 who is in kindergarten through 12th grade, plus children with disabilities receiving required special instruction and services (with certain exclusions).
  • Child care facility: Includes programs that require licensing under state rules.
  • Family child care: Care for up to 10 children at a time, with no more than six under school age; the licensed capacity covers all children present.
  • Group family child care: Care for up to 14 children at a time; counts all children when present.
  • Medically acceptable standards: The immunization schedule must be determined by the Commissioner of Health, based on evidence-based medical science, and must consider recommendations from major medical groups (CDC ACIP, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians). This determination is exempt from standard state rulemaking.

• Rule repeal:

  • Repeals Minnesota Rules part 4604.0200 subpart 2a, removing that specific rule from governing immunization requirements.

• Relationship to existing law:

  • The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 sections 121A.15 (subdivisions 9 and related), 12, and 135A.14 (subdivision 7) to incorporate these changes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Shifts immunization policy to be defined by the state health commissioner rather than by fixed existing rules, using an evidence-based framework and input from major medical bodies.
• Broadens or clarifies who is covered by school and child care immunization policies by refining definitions of schools, enrollment, and types of child care (family and group family care).
• Establishes that immunization schedules must be “medically acceptable standards” based on current science and national guidelines, and that the commissioner’s determinations are not subject to ordinary rulemaking.
• Removes a specific Minnesota Rule (part 4604.0200 subpart 2a) from the framework.

Relevant Terms - immunization schedule - Commissioner of Health - medially acceptable standards / medically acceptable standards - Center for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) - elementary or secondary school - public school - nonpublic school - child care facility - family child care - group family child care - Minnesota Rules part 4604.0200 subpart 2a - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 121A.15 - 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65 (special instruction and services)