SB2119 - Relating to an exemption from certain immunization requirements for medical and veterinary students.

      By: Sparks, Hall, Hughes S.B. No. 2119     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an exemption from certain immunization requirements for   medical and veterinary students.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 161.0041(a), Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  A person claiming an exemption from a required   immunization based on reasons of conscience, including a religious   belief, under Section 161.004 or 161.0053 of this code, Section   38.001, 51.9192, or 51.933, Education Code, or Section 42.043,   Human Resources Code, must complete an affidavit on a form provided   by the department stating the reason for the exemption. This   subsection does not apply to a person claiming the exemption using   the Internet-based process under Section 51.9192(d-3), Education   Code.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety   Code, is amended by adding Section 161.0053 to read as follows:           Sec.   161.0053.     IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTION FOR MEDICAL OR   VETERINARY STUDENT. (a) In this section:                 (1)     "Institution of higher education" has the meaning   assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.                 (2)  "Medical school" means:                       (A)     a medical school as defined by Section   61.501, Education Code; or                       (B)     any other institution of higher education, or   school, department, or college of an institution of higher   education, that awards medical degrees.                 (3)     "School of veterinary medicine" means any school,   department, or college of an institution of higher education that   awards veterinary medicine degrees.           (b)     Notwithstanding Section 51.933, Education Code, or any   other law, a student enrolled in a medical school or school of   veterinary medicine may not be required to receive an immunization   as a prerequisite to enrollment or participation in a course   offered by the medical school or school of veterinary medicine if   the student submits to the school's admitting official:                 (1)     an affidavit signed by the student stating the   student declines immunization for reasons of conscience, including   a religious belief; or                 (2)     an affidavit or certificate signed by a physician   licensed to practice medicine in the United States stating, in the   physician's opinion, the required immunization would be injurious   to the health and well-being of the student.           (c)     An affidavit or certificate submitted under Subsection   (b) must be submitted to the admitting official not later than the   90th day after the date the affidavit or certificate is notarized.     An affidavit submitted under Subsection (b)(1) must be on a form   described by Section 161.0041.           (d)     A student who has not received an immunization required   by a medical school or school of veterinary medicine for a reason   described by Subsection (b) may not be excluded from school during a   public health disaster or emergency declared by the commissioner of   state health services because of the student's immunization status.          SECTION 3.  Section 161.0053, Health and Safety Code, as   added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic   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.