HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3633        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael J. Soter

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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 the protection of medical exemptions for immunizations for school attendance.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3633        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 582 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to the protection of medical exemptions for immunizations for school attendance.

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. Section 15 of chapter 76 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2023 Official Edition, is hereby amended by deleting the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:

“A child shall be admitted to school upon certification (a “Medical Certification”) by a physician that he or she has personally examined such child and that in his or her opinion the totality of the child’s medical circumstances is such that the child’s health would be endangered by such vaccination or by any of such immunizations. Such opinion may be based upon such factors as are deemed relevant by the physician in his or her independent medical judgment including, among other factors, concerns regarding an increased risk of adverse events, family history, or exacerbation of pre-existing medical conditions relating to the child. The Medical Certification shall be submitted at the beginning of each school year to the physician in charge of the school health program. Medical Certifications shall be confidential, shall not be disclosed to any person outside of the school health program, and shall not be admissible as evidence in any action of any kind before any court, tribunal or agency without express, written consent of the child’s parent or guardian.  In the absence of manifest bad faith, a physician who provides a Medical Certification shall not be subject to disciplinary action by any governing or licensing authority. Medical Certifications may not be used to change or negatively affect a physician’s rating or standing with an employer, insurer, hospital affiliation or academic affiliation.”