SF 4458
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 03/18/2026 09:11 a.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to education; prohibiting use of an exemption to immunization due to
conscientiously held beliefs; modifying immunization schedules; prohibiting use
of a substitute immunization statement; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections
121A.15, subdivisions 1, 3, 3a, 10, 12, by adding a subdivision; 135A.14,
subdivisions 3, 7; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 121A.15,
subdivision 8; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, subdivision
4.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
School and child care facility immunization requirements.
Except as
provided in subdivisions 3deleted text begin , 4,deleted text end and 10, no person over two months old may be allowed to
enroll or remain enrolled in any elementary or secondary school or child care facility in this
state until the person has submitted to the administrator or other person having general
control and supervision of the school or child care facility, one of the following statements:
(1) a statement from a physician or a public clinic which provides immunizations stating
that the person has received immunization, consistent with medically acceptable standards,
against measles after having attained the age of 12 months, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis, polio, mumps, haemophilus influenzae type b, and hepatitis B; or
(2) a statement from a physician or a public clinic which provides immunizations stating
that the person has received immunizations, consistent with medically acceptable standards,
against measles after having attained the age of 12 months, rubella, mumps, and haemophilus
influenzae type b and that the person has commenced a schedule of immunizations for
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and hepatitis B and which indicates the month and year
of each immunization received.
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Exemptions from immunizations.
(a) If a person is at least seven years old
and has not been immunized against pertussis, the person must not be required to be
immunized against pertussis.
(b) If a person is at least 18 years old and has not completed a series of immunizations
against poliomyelitis, the person must not be required to be immunized against poliomyelitis.
(c) If a statement, signed by a physician, is submitted to the administrator or other person
having general control and supervision of the school or child care facility stating that an
immunization is contraindicated for medical reasons or that laboratory confirmation of the
presence of adequate immunity exists, the immunization specified in the statement need
not be required.
deleted text begin
(d) If a notarized statement signed by the minor child's parent or guardian or by the
emancipated person is submitted to the administrator or other person having general control
and supervision of the school or child care facility stating that the person has not been
immunized as prescribed in subdivision 1 because of the conscientiously held beliefs of the
parent or guardian of the minor child or of the emancipated person, the immunizations
specified in the statement shall not be required. This statement must also be forwarded to
the commissioner of the Department of Health. This paragraph does not apply to a child
enrolling or enrolled in a child care center or family child care program that adopts a policy
under subdivision 3b.
deleted text end
deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end If the person is under 15 months, the person is not required to be immunized
against measles, rubella, or mumps.
deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end If a person is at least five years old and has not been immunized against
haemophilus influenzae type b, the person is not required to be immunized against
haemophilus influenzae type b.
deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end If a person who is not a Minnesota resident enrolls in a Minnesota school online
learning course or program that delivers instruction to the person only by computer and
does not provide any teacher or instructor contact time or require classroom attendance, the
person is not subject to the immunization, statement, and other requirements of this section.
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
Subd. 3a.
Disclosures required.
(a) This paragraph applies to any written information
about immunization requirements for enrollment in a school or child care facility that:
(1) is provided to a person to be immunized or enrolling or enrolled in a school or child
care facility, or to the person's parent or guardian if the person is under 18 years of age and
not emancipated; and
(2) is provided by the Department of Health; the Department of Education; the
Department of Children, Youth, and Families; an immunization provider; or a school or
child care facility.
Such written information must describe the exemptions from immunizations permitted under
subdivision 3, deleted text begin paragraphsdeleted text end new text begin paragraphnew text end (c) deleted text begin and (d)deleted text end . The information on exemptions from
immunizations provided according to this paragraph must be in a font size at least equal to
the font size of the immunization requirements, in the same font style as the immunization
requirements, and on the same page of the written document as the immunization
requirements.
(b) Before immunizing a person, an immunization provider must provide the person, or
the person's parent or guardian if the person is under 18 years of age and not emancipated,
with the following information in writing:
(1) a list of the immunizations required for enrollment in a school or child care facility;
(2) a description of the exemptions from immunizations permitted under subdivision 3,
deleted text begin paragraphsdeleted text end new text begin paragraphnew text end (c) deleted text begin and (d)deleted text end ;
(3) a list of additional immunizations currently recommended by the commissioner; and
(4) in accordance with federal law, a copy of the vaccine information sheet from the
federal Department of Health and Human Services that lists possible adverse reactions to
the immunization to be provided.
(c) The commissioner will continue the educational campaign to providers and hospitals
on vaccine safety including, but not limited to, information on the vaccine adverse events
reporting system (VAERS), the federal vaccine information statements (VIS), and medical
precautions and contraindications to immunizations.
(d) The commissioner will encourage providers to provide the vaccine information
statements at multiple visits and in anticipation of subsequent immunizations.
(e) The commissioner will encourage providers to use existing screening for immunization
precautions and contraindication materials and make proper use of the vaccine adverse
events reporting system (VAERS).
(f) In consultation with groups and people identified in subdivision 12, paragraph (a),
clause (1), the commissioner will continue to develop and make available patient education
materials on immunizations including, but not limited to, contraindications and precautions
regarding vaccines.
(g) The commissioner will encourage health care providers to use thimerosal-free vaccines
when available.
Sec. 4.
Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 121A.15, subdivision 8, is amended
to read:
Subd. 8.
Report.
The administrator or other person having general control and supervision
of the elementary or secondary school shall file a report with the commissioner on all persons
enrolled in the school. The superintendent of each district shall file a report with the
commissioner for all persons within the district receiving instruction in a home school in
compliance with sections 120A.22 and 120A.24. The parent of persons receiving instruction
in a home school shall submit the statements as required by subdivisions 1, 2, 3, deleted text begin 4,deleted text end and 12
to the superintendent of the district in which the person resides by October 1 of the first
year of their homeschooling in Minnesota and the grade 7 year. The school report must be
prepared on forms developed jointly by the commissioner of health and the commissioner
of education and be distributed to the local districts by the commissioner of health. The
school report must state the number of persons attending the school, the number of persons
who have not been immunized according to subdivision 1 or 2, and the number of persons
who received an exemption under subdivision 3, paragraph (c) deleted text begin or (d)deleted text end . The school report
must be filed with the commissioner of education within 60 days of the commencement of
each new school term. Upon request, a district must be given a 60-day extension for filing
the school report. The commissioner of education shall forward the report, or a copy thereof,
to the commissioner of health who shall provide summary reports to community health
boards as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 5. The administrator or other person
having general control and supervision of the child care facility shall file a report with the
commissioner of children, youth, and families on all persons enrolled in the child care
facility. The child care facility report must be prepared on forms developed jointly by the
commissioner of health and the commissioner of children, youth, and families and be
distributed to child care facilities by the commissioner of health. The child care facility
report must state the number of persons enrolled in the facility, the number of persons with
no immunizations, the number of persons who received an exemption under subdivision 3,
paragraph (c) deleted text begin or (d)deleted text end , and the number of persons with partial or full immunization histories.
The child care facility report must be filed with the commissioner of children, youth, and
families by November 1 of each year. The commissioner of children, youth, and families
shall forward the report, or a copy thereof, to the commissioner of health who shall provide
summary reports to community health boards as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision
5. The report required by this subdivision is not required of a family child care or group
family child care facility, for prekindergarten children enrolled in any elementary or
secondary school provided services according to sections 125A.03 and 125A.06, nor for
child care facilities in which at least 75 percent of children in the facility participate on a
onetime only or occasional basis to a maximum of 45 hours per child, per month.
Sec. 5.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
new text begin Subd. 8a. new text end
new text begin Statement required for participation in an extracurricular activity. new text end
new text begin
If a
parent of a person receiving instruction in a home school fails to comply with the requirement
in subdivision 8 to submit statements as required by subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 12 to the
superintendent of the district in which the person resides, the superintendent must prohibit
the person from participating in an extracurricular activity until all requirements are met.
new text end
Sec. 6.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
Subd. 10.
Requirements for immunization statements.
(a) A statement required to be
submitted under subdivisions 1deleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin andnew text end 2deleted text begin , and 4deleted text end to document evidence of immunization shall
include month, day, and year for immunizations administered after January 1, 1990.
(b) A person who has received at least three doses of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids,
with the most recent dose given after age six and before age 11, is not required to have
additional immunization against diphtheria and tetanus until ten years have elapsed from
the person's most recent dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoid.
(c) The requirement for hepatitis B vaccination shall apply to persons enrolling in
kindergarten beginning with the 2000-2001 school term.
(d) The requirement for hepatitis B vaccination shall apply to persons enrolling in grade
7 beginning with the 2001-2002 school term.
Sec. 7.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
Subd. 12.
Modifications to schedule.
(a) The commissioner of health may adopt
modifications to the immunization requirements of this section. A proposed modification
made under this subdivision must be part of the current immunization recommendations of
each of the following organizations: deleted text begin the United States Public Health Service's Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices,deleted text end the American Academy of Family Physiciansdeleted text begin ,deleted text end and
the American Academy of Pediatrics. In proposing a modification to the immunization
schedule, the commissioner must:
(1) consult with (i) the commissioner of educationdeleted text begin ;deleted text end new text begin andnew text end the commissioner of children,
youth, and familiesdeleted text begin ; the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; and
the president of the University of Minnesotadeleted text end ; and (ii) deleted text begin the Minnesota Natural Health Coalition,
Vaccine Awareness Minnesota, Biological Education for Autism Treatment (BEAT),deleted text end the
Minnesota Academy of Family Physiciansdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin andnew text end the American Academy of
Pediatrics-Minnesota Chapterdeleted text begin , and the Minnesota Nurses Associationdeleted text end ; and
(2) consider the following criteria: the epidemiology of the disease, the morbidity and
mortality rates for the disease, the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, the cost of a vaccination
program, the cost of enforcing vaccination requirements, and a cost-benefit analysis of the
vaccination.
(b) Before a proposed modification may be adopted, the commissioner must notify the
chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over health
policy issues. If the chairs of the relevant standing committees determine a public hearing
regarding the proposed modifications is in order, the hearing must be scheduled within 60
days of receiving notice from the commissioner. If a hearing is scheduled, the commissioner
may not adopt any proposed modifications until after the hearing is held.
(c) The commissioner shall comply with the requirements of chapter 14 regarding the
adoption of any proposed modifications to the immunization schedule.
(d) In addition to the publication requirements of chapter 14, the commissioner of health
must inform all immunization providers of any adopted modifications to the immunization
schedule in a timely manner.
Sec. 8.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 135A.14, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Exemptions from immunization.
deleted text begin (a)deleted text end An immunization listed in subdivision
2 is not required if the student submits to the administrator a statement signed by a physician
that shows:
(1) that, for medical reasons, the student did not receive an immunization;
(2) that the student has experienced the natural disease against which the immunization
protects; or
(3) that a laboratory has confirmed the presence of adequate immunity.
deleted text begin
(b) If the student submits a notarized statement that the student has not been immunized
as required in subdivision 2 because of the student's conscientiously held beliefs, the
immunizations described in subdivision 2 are not required. The institution shall forward
this statement to the commissioner of health.
deleted text end
Sec. 9.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 135A.14, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7.
Modifications to schedule.
(a) The commissioner of health may adopt
modifications to the immunization requirements of this section. A proposed modification
made under this subdivision must be part of the current immunization recommendations of
each of the following organizations: deleted text begin the United States Public Health Service's Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices,deleted text end the American Academy of Family Physiciansdeleted text begin ,deleted text end and
the American Academy of Pediatrics. In proposing a modification to the immunization
schedule, the commissioner must:
(1) consult with the commissioner of education; the commissioner of human services;
the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; and the president of the
University of Minnesota; and
(2) consider the following criteria: the epidemiology of the disease, the morbidity and
mortality rates for the disease, the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, the cost of a vaccination
program, the cost of enforcing vaccination requirements, and a cost-benefit analysis of the
vaccination.
(b) Before a proposed modification may be adopted, the commissioner must notify the
chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over health
policy issues. If the chairs of the relevant standing committees determine a public hearing
regarding the proposed modifications is in order, the hearing must be scheduled within 60
days of receiving notice from the commissioner. If a hearing is scheduled, the commissioner
may not adopt any proposed modifications until after the hearing is held.
(c) The commissioner shall comply with the requirements of chapter 14 regarding the
adoption of any proposed modifications to the immunization schedule.
(d) In addition to the publication requirements of chapter 14, the commissioner of health
must inform all immunization providers of any adopted modifications to the immunization
schedule in a timely manner.
Sec. 10. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end
new text begin
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, subdivision 4,
new text end
new text begin
is repealed.
new text end
APPENDIX
Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 26-07516
121A.15 HEALTH STANDARDS; IMMUNIZATIONS; SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Subd. 4.
Substitute immunization statement.
(a) A person who is enrolling or enrolled in an elementary or secondary school or child care facility may substitute a statement from the emancipated person or a parent or guardian if the person is a minor child in lieu of the statement from a physician or public clinic which provides immunizations. If the statement is from a parent or guardian or emancipated person, the statement must indicate the month and year of each immunization given.
(b) In order for the statement to be acceptable for a person who is enrolling in an elementary school and who is six years of age or younger, it must indicate that the following was given: no less than one dose of vaccine each for measles, mumps, and rubella given separately or in combination; no less than four doses of vaccine for poliomyelitis, unless the third dose was given after the fourth birthday, then three doses are minimum; no less than five doses of vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, unless the fourth dose was given after the fourth birthday, then four doses are minimum; and no less than three doses of vaccine for hepatitis B.
(c) In order for the statement to be consistent with subdivision 10 and acceptable for a person who is enrolling in an elementary or secondary school and is age seven through age 19, the statement must indicate that the person has received no less than one dose of vaccine each for measles, mumps, and rubella given separately or in combination, and no less than three doses of vaccine for poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis B.
(d) In order for the statement to be acceptable for a person who is enrolling in a secondary school, and who was born after 1956 and is 20 years of age or older, the statement must indicate that the person has received no less than one dose of vaccine each for measles, mumps, and rubella given separately or in combination, and no less than one dose of vaccine for diphtheria and tetanus within the preceding ten years.
(e) In order for the statement to be acceptable for a person who is enrolling in a child care facility and who is at least 15 months old but who has not reached five years of age, it must indicate that the following were given: no less than one dose of vaccine each for measles, mumps, and rubella given separately or in combination; no less than one dose of vaccine for haemophilus influenzae type b; no less than four doses of vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; and no less than three doses of vaccine for poliomyelitis.
(f) In order for the statement to be acceptable for a person who is enrolling in a child care facility and who is five or six years of age, it must indicate that the following was given: no less than one dose of vaccine each for measles, mumps, and rubella given separately or in combination; no less than four doses of vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; and no less than three doses of vaccine for poliomyelitis.
(g) In order for the statement to be acceptable for a person who is enrolling in a child care facility and who is seven years of age or older, the statement must indicate that the person has received no less than one dose of vaccine each for measles, mumps, and rubella given separately or in combination and consistent with subdivision 10, and no less than three doses of vaccine for poliomyelitis, diphtheria, and tetanus.
(h) The commissioner of health, on finding that any of the above requirements are not necessary to protect the public's health, may suspend for one year that requirement.