Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 10, Part 4 and Title 49.

This bill requires schools, nursery schools, preschools, child care facilities, and public institutions of higher education to include information on immunization exemptions on any communications to students or parents regarding immunization requirements, as discussed below. Generally under present law governing elementary and secondary education, a child in not permitted to attend any public school, nursery school, kindergarten, preschool or child care facility until proof of immunization is given to the admissions officer of the school, nursery school, kindergarten, preschool or child care facility. Present law creates the following exemptions to this provisions: (1) In the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat of an epidemic, the requirement does not apply to any child whose parent or guardian files with school authorities a signed, written statement that the immunization and other preventive measures conflict with the parent's or guardian's religious tenets and practices, affirmed under the penalties of perjury; (2) A child is not denied admission to any school or school facility if the child has not been immunized due to medical reasons if the child has a written statement from the child's doctor excusing the child from the immunization; (3) A child or youth determined to be homeless is not denied admission to any school or school facility if the child or youth has not yet been immunized or is unable to produce immunization records due to being homeless; and (4) An immunization is not required if a qualified physician certifies that administration of the immunization would be in any manner harmful to the child involved. This bill requires that any communication provided to students or parents by any school, nursery school, kindergarten, preschool, or child care facility of this state regarding immunization requirements must include information on the grounds for exemption from the immunization described above in (1)-(4). This bill also adds to the provisions governing higher education that any communication provided to students or parents by a public institution of higher education regarding immunization requirements must include information on the grounds for any exemption from the immunization requirements. ON MARCH 18, 2021, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1175, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 adds that use of a certificate of immunization form furnished by the department of health, which contains information related to exemption, will satisfy this bill's notice requirement for a school, nursery school, kindergarten, preschool, or child care facility. ON APRIL 21, 2021, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1175 FOR HOUSE BILL 1403, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1175, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 removes the provision added by Senate Amendment #1.