SF3439 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Use of an exemption to immunization due to conscientiously held beliefs prohibition for immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella
Related bill: HF3239
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of this bill is to change existing immunization laws in Minnesota, particularly by removing the ability for parents or guardians to refuse immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) based on their conscientiously held beliefs. The bill aims to ensure higher vaccination rates among children attending preschool and school.
Main Provisions
Elimination of Conscientious Exemptions: The bill stipulates that starting August 1, 2026, parents or guardians can no longer use conscientiously held beliefs as a basis for exempting their children from MMR vaccinations in order to enroll them in child care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school programs.
Documentation Requirement: Parents must provide documentation proving their child has received the MMR vaccine or a valid medical exemption signed by a physician. This documentation must be submitted to the administrators of the educational or child care facilities.
Applicability: The changes affect all children ages 15 months or older enrolling in various educational and child care settings within Minnesota. This includes child care facilities, preschool programs, and all elementary and secondary schools.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill amends the existing law by removing the option for parents to submit a notarized statement based on conscientiously held beliefs to exempt their child from receiving the MMR vaccine.
- Existing exemptions for medical reasons, verified by a physician, remain unaffected.
Relevant Terms
- Immunization
- Vaccine
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Exemption
- Conscientiously held beliefs
- Medical exemption
- Child care facilities
- School enrollment
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 24, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| April 24, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| April 24, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Health and Human Services |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"Exemption due to conscientiously held beliefs for immunizations against measles, mumps, and rubella."
],
"summary": "This bill amends the exemptions from immunizations, specifically addressing the removal of exemptions based on conscientiously held beliefs.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "121A.15",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Definitions related to child care facilities, secondary schools, and exemptions are updated.",
"modified": [
"Definitions for schools and child care facilities to align with new immunization requirements."
]
},
"citation": "121A.15",
"subdivision": "subdivision 9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Includes general definitions for schools as referenced in immunization policy adjustments.",
"modified": [
"Referenced to clarify school settings affected by immunization law changes."
]
},
"citation": "120A.05",
"subdivision": "subdivisions 9, 11, 13, and 17"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References educational instruction compliance impacted by immunization policy.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies instructional settings impacted by exemption removals."
]
},
"citation": "120A.22",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Further clarifies educational settings affected by immunization requirement changes.",
"modified": [
"Instructional compliance adjustments due to immunization policy shift."
]
},
"citation": "120A.24",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the set of statutes defining special instruction services related to schooling requirements.",
"modified": [
"Adjusted to specify exempt instructional settings not impacted by immunization changes."
]
},
"citation": "125A.03",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines special service instructional environments connected with immunization legislative updates.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies scope of non-affected service environments within school settings."
]
},
"citation": "125A.24",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Addresses special instruction services exemptions linked to new immunization requirements.",
"modified": [
"Focused on differentiating sites not requiring revised immunization compliance."
]
},
"citation": "125A.65",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Associated child care program licensure requirements relevant to immunization policies.",
"modified": [
"Connects child care program standards with revised immunization statutes."
]
},
"citation": "142B",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Linked child care rules and licensure associated with immunization legislative adjustments.",
"modified": [
"Aligns child care facility rules with updated immunization laws."
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},
"citation": "9502",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Child care licensing rules referenced in the context of immunization requirement changes.",
"modified": [
"Integration of child care rules to reflect immunization statute revisions."
]
},
"citation": "9503",
"subdivision": ""
}
]