24 LC 57 0055
Senate Bill 445
By: Senators Sims of the 12th, Esteves of the 6th, Merritt of the 9th, Mallow of the 2nd,
Anderson of the 43rd and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
1
Annotated, relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to require2
the Department of Education to provide to parents and guardians of students entering the3
sixth grade information regarding recommended adolescent vaccinations in print and4
electronic form; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other5
purposes.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
SECTION 1.8
Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,9
relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, is amended by revising10
Code Section 20-2-778, relating to required information to parents of students regarding11
meningococcal meningitis and influenza and their respective vaccines, as follows:12
"20-2-778.13
(a) Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, the Department of Education shall provide
14
all parents and guardians of students entering the sixth grade with information on15
recommended adolescent vaccinations for meningococcal meningitis disease, human16
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papillomavirus (HPV), and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (TDAP). Such information17
shall be provided in both print and electronic form and shall include:18
(1) Information on each vaccine and how it prevents the associated disease or diseases;19
(2) A list of sources for additional information; and20
(3) Related recommendations issued by the Advisory Committee on Immunization21
Practices of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.22
(b) If a local board of education provides information on immunizations, infectious23
diseases, medications, or other school health issues to parents and guardians of students in24
grades six seven through 12, then the following information about meningococcal25
meningitis disease and influenza and their respective vaccines shall be included:26
(1) A description of causes, symptoms, and means of transmission;27
(2) A list of sources for additional information; and28
(3) Related recommendations issued by the Advisory Committee on Immunization29
Practices of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.30
(b)(c) The Department of Education, in cooperation with the Department of Public Health,31
shall develop and make available to local school systems the information about32
meningococcal meningitis disease and influenza and their respective vaccines to local33
school systems as required under subsection subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section34
in an efficient manner that shall include posting the information on its public website."35
SECTION 2.36
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.37
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