Bill Text: VA HB306 | 2022 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Immunizations; authority of the Commissioner of Health, religious tenets or practices, exception.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2022-03-03 - Passed by indefinitely in Education and Health (9-Y 6-N) [HB306 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HB306-Engrossed.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §32.1-48 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§32.1-48. Powers of Commissioner in epidemic.
A. Nothing in this article shall preclude the Commissioner
from requiring immediate immunization of all persons in case of an epidemic of
any disease of public health importance for which a vaccine exists other than
(i) a person to whose health the administration of a vaccine would be
detrimental as certified in writing by a physician licensed to practice medicine
in this Commonwealth [ and or ] (ii) a person,
including a parent or guardian on behalf of a child, who objects on the grounds
that the administration of the vaccine conflicts with his religious tenets or
practices.
B. In addition, the State Health Commissioner shall hold the powers conferred pursuant to Article 3.02 (§32.1-48.05 et seq.) of this chapter to issue orders of quarantine or prepare orders of isolation for a communicable disease of public health threat.
