Sec. 5. 20-A MRSA §6359, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 771, §§2 and 7, is amended to read:

2. Immunization. Except as otherwise provided under this section, every student shall have administered an adequate dosage of an immunizing agent against each disease as specified by rule.

Any such immunizing agent shall meet standards for the biological products, approved by the United States Public Health Service and the dosage requirement specified by the Department of Human Services.

Sec. 6. 20-A MRSA §6359, sub-§3, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 771, §§2 and 7, is amended to read:

B. The student or the parent, if the student is a minor, states in writing a sincere religious belief, which is contrary to the immunization requirement of this subchapter or an opposition to the immunization for moral, philosophical or other personal reasons.

SUMMARY

This bill amends immunization requirements for school children and children in child care to ensure consistent wording and requirements for the parents of children seeking to exempt their child from one or more immunization. The bill shifts the specific disease and vaccine-specific requirements to rulemaking instead of statute.