Purpose

This bill changes how immunization exemptions based on conscientiously held beliefs are handled in Minnesota. It adds new steps to educate families, creates an official vaccine education module, and gives the health commissioner power to manage disease outbreaks in schools and child care facilities. It also provides a one-time state funding item to develop the education module.

Main Provisions

• Exemptions from immunizations (subdivision 3)

  • Pertussis exemption (age 7+): If not immunized against pertussis, a person does not have to be immunized for that disease.
  • Poliomyelitis exemption (age 18+): If not completed with a poliomyelitis immunization series, a person does not have to be immunized for polio.
  • Medical contraindication: A doctor’s statement that an immunization is medically contraindicated means the immunization is not required.
  • Conscientiously held beliefs exemption: A notarized statement from the parent/guardian or emancipated person, signed by the provider, verifying no immunization because of conscientiously held beliefs, means the immunization is not required. The statement must be notarized and sent to the Commissioner of Health. Certain child care settings may be exempt from this paragraph if they adopt different policies.
  • Measles, rubella, or mumps exemption (under 15 months): Not required for children younger than 15 months.
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) exemption (age 5+): Not required if not immunized.
  • Online-only Minnesota residents: If a Minnesota resident participates in an online course that delivers instruction only by computer with no teacher contact or classroom time, the immunization requirements do not apply.

• Educational consultation with provider (subdivision 3c)

  • Before an exemption is granted, a parent/guardian or emancipated person must complete an educational consultation with the child’s or person’s provider.
  • During the consultation, the provider reviews the risks and benefits of immunizations (aligned with information from the commissioner of health or approved organizations) and verifies that the immunizations education module has been reviewed.
  • After the consultation, the provider may sign the exemption statement if requested.

• Immunizations education module (subdivision 3d)

  • The commissioner of health must develop and make available an immunizations education module about the risks and benefits of immunizations.
  • The commissioner decides the content, format, and length of the module.

• Disease outbreak and school exclusion (subdivision 3e)

  • If there is an outbreak of a disease for which immunization is required, the health commissioner can issue a written determination that:
  • an outbreak is occurring,
  • the disease could be transmitted in schools or child care facilities,
  • the disease could cause death or serious injury.
  • In response, schools or child care facilities may exclude a student who has an exemption until they meet one of the conditions: provide documentation of immunization or provide a statement of exemption consistent with the new determination.
  • The commissioner can end the exclusion when the outbreak no longer meets the specified conditions.

• Definitions (subdivision 9)

  • Clarifies terms such as what counts as an elementary or secondary school, who is a “provider,” and what “medically acceptable standards” means (referencing immunization recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics).
  • Defines types of child care facilities (family, group family) and what counts as a “notarized” exemption statement.

• Appropriation (Sec. 6)

  • In fiscal year 2027, a one-time general fund appropriation is provided to develop and make the immunization education module.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a formal educational step for exemptions: mandatory educational consultation with a health provider before an exemption can be granted (3c).
• Establishes a state-produced immunizations education module and requires verification that it was reviewed (3d).
• Creates a process for disease outbreak determinations and school/child care exclusion based on exemptions during an outbreak (3e).
• Expands or clarifies exemptions for several specific diseases and age groups, including provisions for online-only students (Subd. 3 and related sections).
• Provides a dedicated one-time funding source to build the education module (Sec. 6).
• Updates definitions to align with exemptions and outbreak procedures (Sec. 5).

Implementation and Potential Effects

• Expected increase in education and counseling before immunization exemptions are granted.
• Potential reduction in exemptions based on conscientious beliefs unless families complete the required education and consult with a provider.
• More formal management of disease outbreaks in schools and child care facilities, with possible temporary exclusions for students with exemptions during an outbreak.
• Requires schools and child care facilities to align with new exemption processes and documentation standards.

Relevant Terms - immunization exemptions - conscientiously held beliefs - educational consultation - immunizations education module - commissioner of health - Department of Health - outbreak determination - disease outbreak - pertussis - poliomyelitis - measles - rubella - mumps - Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) - medical contraindication - notarized statement - provider - medically acceptable standards - online learning program/course - school or child care facility - exclusion - documentation of immunization - American Academy of Pediatrics - general fund appropriation - Sec. 6 onetime appropriation