HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 579        FILED ON: 1/18/2011

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 582

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Kevin Aguiar

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to annual immunization against influenza for children..

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 579        FILED ON: 1/18/2011

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 582

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2045 OF 2009-2010.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An Act relative to annual immunization against influenza for children..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 220:  (I) The commissioner shall adopt regulations requiring a public or private secondary school, public and private providers of early education to distribute to the parent or guardian of a child in its care information regarding the benefits of annual immunization against influenza for children six (6) months of age to eighteen (18) years of age.  This information shall include the causes and symptoms of the decease, how it is spread, and how to obtain additional information regarding the disease and the effectiveness and risks of vaccinations against the disease.

(II) The commissioner shall work with the commissioners of the department of early education and care and the department of elementary and secondary to ensure that the information is annually distributed to parents in August or September.