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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3633 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2541
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Michael J. Soter
_________________
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:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Michael J. Soter8th Worcester1/17/2025Joseph D. McKenna18th Worcester2/6/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3633 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2541
By Representative Soter of Bellingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2541) of
Michael J. Soter and Joseph D. McKenna relative to the protection of medical exemptions for
immunizations for school attendance. Public Health.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 582 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
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:
1 Section 15 of chapter 76 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2023 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by deleting the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following
3paragraph:
4 “A child shall be admitted to school upon certification (a “Medical Certification”) by a
5physician that he or she has personally examined such child and that in his or her opinion the
6totality of the child’s medical circumstances is such that the child’s health would be endangered
7by such vaccination or by any of such immunizations. Such opinion may be based upon such
8factors as are deemed relevant by the physician in his or her independent medical judgment
9including, among other factors, concerns regarding an increased risk of adverse events, family
10history, or exacerbation of pre-existing medical conditions relating to the child. The Medical 2 of 2
11Certification shall be submitted at the beginning of each school year to the physician in charge of
12the school health program. Medical Certifications shall be confidential, shall not be disclosed to
13any person outside of the school health program, and shall not be admissible as evidence in any
14action of any kind before any court, tribunal or agency without express, written consent of the
15child’s parent or guardian. In the absence of manifest bad faith, a physician who provides a
16Medical Certification shall not be subject to disciplinary action by any governing or licensing
17authority. Medical Certifications may not be used to change or negatively affect a physician’s
18rating or standing with an employer, insurer, hospital affiliation or academic affiliation.”