HB1586 - Relating to an exemption from required immunizations for school enrollment.

      H.B. No. 1586         AN ACT   relating to an exemption from required immunizations for school   enrollment.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 161.0041(c), (d), and (e), Health and   Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:          (c)   The department shall develop a blank affidavit form for   a person to use in claiming an exemption from a required   immunization under this section and post the affidavit form in a   printable format on the department's Internet website. A person   claiming an exemption from a required immunization [ under this   section ] may also [ only ] obtain the affidavit form by submitting a   written request for the affidavit form to the department.   A person   may not be required to provide any information to obtain a blank   affidavit form under this subsection.          (d)  [ The department shall develop a blank affidavit form   that contains a seal or other security device to prevent   reproduction of the form. ] The affidavit form shall contain a   statement indicating that the person or, if a minor, the person's   parent, managing conservator, or guardian understands the benefits   and risks of immunizations and the benefits and risks of not being   immunized.          (e)  The department may [ shall ] maintain a record of the   total number of times an affidavit form was accessed on the   department's Internet website or requested under Subsection (c)   [ forms sent out each year and shall report that information to the   legislature each year ]. The department may not maintain a record of   any personally identifying information [ the names ] of individuals   who download, access, request , or submit an affidavit form under   this section.          SECTION 2.  Not later than the 30th day after the effective   date of this Act, the Department of State Health Services shall   modify the existing affidavit form required by Section 161.0041,   Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 1586 was passed by the House on May   14, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 83, Nays 54, 3 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 1586 was passed by the Senate on May   25, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 23, Nays 8.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor