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HB279

HB 279: Rules for Vaccines in Schools and Sports

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill requires that vaccines used by schools, youth sports groups, the University of Alaska, and doctors must be fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What it does

  • Allows school districts to require immunizations if the health commissioner decides it is needed for public safety in their area.
  • Requires that any vaccine used for students participating in youth sports activities has full FDA approval.
  • Permits the University of Alaska to require student vaccinations using only vaccines with full FDA approval.
  • Mandates that doctors give parents a CDC fact sheet or an FDA emergency use authorization sheet before vaccinating children under 18.

Who it affects

  • School districts and their governing bodies
  • Youth participating in interscholastic sports activities
  • Students attending the University of Alaska
  • Health care providers who give vaccines to minors

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not list specific diseases that schools must require vaccines for.
  • School districts can only set requirements if the health commissioner decides it is necessary in their area.
  • The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Plain language

Terms to know

Commissioner of Health
The state official responsible for deciding if immunizations are necessary in a specific area.
Interscholastic activity
Sports or competitions organized between schools, as defined by Alaska law.
FDA approval
Full permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use a vaccine.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS; INFORMATION An Act relating to the power of the commissioner of health to require certain immunizations; relating to immunizations required to participate in youth athletics; relating to immunizations required by the University of Alaska; relating to the provision of vaccine information to the parents of minor patients; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES1484
  2. (H) HSS, JUD1484
  3. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1484