Texas 2023 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4731 Introduced / Bill

Filed 03/10/2023

                    88R12213 MCF-F
 By: Tinderholt H.B. No. 4731


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the authority of an advanced practice registered nurse
 to sign a health exception to an immunization requirement for
 school admission.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Section 38.001(c), Education Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (c)  Immunization is not required for a person's admission to
 any elementary or secondary school if the person applying for
 admission:
 (1)  submits to the admitting official:
 (A)  an affidavit or a certificate signed by a
 physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine
 in the United States or an advanced practice registered nurse who is
 licensed to practice advanced practice registered nursing in the
 United States[,] in which it is stated that, in the physician's or
 advanced practice registered nurse's opinion, the immunization
 required poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of
 the applicant or any member of the applicant's family or household;
 or
 (B)  an affidavit signed by the applicant or, if a
 minor, by the applicant's parent or guardian stating that the
 applicant declines immunization for reasons of conscience,
 including a religious belief; or
 (2)  is a member of the armed forces of the United
 States and is on active duty.
 SECTION 2.  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, 2023.