HB4587 - Relating to the provisional admission to an elementary or secondary school of students requesting certain immunization exemptions.

  89R6415 TSS-D     By: Frank H.B. No. 4587       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the provisional admission to an elementary or secondary   school of students requesting certain immunization exemptions.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 38.001, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-2) to read as follows:           (c-2)     Notwithstanding Subsection (a), an elementary or   secondary school shall provisionally admit a student who has not   obtained the immunizations required under this section or submitted   the affidavit described by Subsection (c)(1)(B) if the student or   the student's parent or guardian provides to the school's admitting   official documentation evidencing that a request to obtain the   affidavit has been submitted to the Department of State Health   Services under Section 161.0041, Health and Safety Code.   The   Department of State Health Services shall adopt rules relating to   the provisional admission of a student under this subsection.          SECTION 2.  Section 161.0041, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to   read as follows:          (c)  A person claiming an exemption from a required   immunization under this section may only obtain the affidavit form   by submitting a [ written ] request for the affidavit form to the   department. The department shall allow a person to electronically   submit a request for the affidavit form through the department's   Internet website.           (c-1)     The department shall develop and provide to each   person who submits a request for the affidavit form a standardized   receipt confirming submission of the request, regardless of whether   the request was submitted electronically, in person, or by mail or   fax.          SECTION 3.  Section 38.001, Education Code, as amended by   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.