Relating to an exemption from certain immunization requirements for medical and veterinary students.

89(R) SB 2119 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

By: Sparks, Hall, Hughes

S.B. No. 2119

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an exemption from certain immunization requirements for

medical and veterinary students.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 161.0041(a), Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) A person claiming an exemption from a required

immunization based on reasons of conscience, including a religious

belief, under Section 161.004
or 161.0053
of this code, Section

38.001, 51.9192, or 51.933, Education Code, or Section 42.043,

Human Resources Code, must complete an affidavit on a form provided

by the department stating the reason for the exemption. This

subsection does not apply to a person claiming the exemption using

the Internet-based process under Section 51.9192(d-3), Education

Code.

SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety

Code, is amended by adding Section 161.0053 to read as follows:

Sec.

161.0053.

IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTION FOR MEDICAL OR

VETERINARY STUDENT. (a) In this section:

(1)

"Institution of higher education" has the meaning

assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.

(2) "Medical school" means:

(A)

a medical school as defined by Section

61.501, Education Code; or

(B)

any other institution of higher education, or

school, department, or college of an institution of higher

education, that awards medical degrees.

(3)

"School of veterinary medicine" means any school,

department, or college of an institution of higher education that

awards veterinary medicine degrees.

(b)

Notwithstanding Section 51.933, Education Code, or any

other law, a student enrolled in a medical school or school of

veterinary medicine may not be required to receive an immunization

as a prerequisite to enrollment or participation in a course

offered by the medical school or school of veterinary medicine if

the student submits to the school's admitting official:

(1)

an affidavit signed by the student stating the

student declines immunization for reasons of conscience, including

a religious belief; or

(2)

an affidavit or certificate signed by a physician

licensed to practice medicine in the United States stating, in the

physician's opinion, the required immunization would be injurious

to the health and well-being of the student.

(c)

An affidavit or certificate submitted under Subsection

(b) must be submitted to the admitting official not later than the

90th day after the date the affidavit or certificate is notarized.

An affidavit submitted under Subsection (b)(1) must be on a form

described by Section 161.0041.

(d)

A student who has not received an immunization required

by a medical school or school of veterinary medicine for a reason

described by Subsection (b) may not be excluded from school during a

public health disaster or emergency declared by the commissioner of

state health services because of the student's immunization status.

SECTION 3. Section 161.0053, Health and Safety Code, as

added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic

year.

SECTION 4. 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, 2025.