NJ
On December 1, 2008 the NJDHSS drafted a letter to the directors and administrators of schools and daycare facilities in NJ to clarify that they must accept religious exemptions from parents without question. The letter also addresses inconsistent enforcement in the field that has become worse as recent new mandates were enacted.
NY
School District Procedures for Implementing Requests for Religious Exemption to Immunization. In order to encourage more consistent implementation of religious exemption requests in school districts throughout the State, SED has collaborated with the Department of Health and statewide educational, health, and labor organizations to develop three documents:
The State Education Department strongly recommends the use of this form, following the procedures listed in the above documents.
As required by regulation, in order to obtain a religious exemption to immunization for a child, a parent/guardian must submit a written and signed statement stating his or her religious objection to immunization. On the Parent/Guardian Statement Form, the elements listed for inclusion in the written statement are intended to assist the parent/guardian in providing a statement that clearly and completely articulates the sincere and genuine religious beliefs which prohibit the immunization of his or her child.
Please note that while the school nurse is responsible for the issuance and collection of the Parent/Guardian Statement Form, and also for the distribution of the Centers for Disease Control/Department of Health informational immunization materials, it is the building principal who holds responsibility for reviewing each request form and for communicating in writing with the parent/guardian regarding the request’s approval or denial. If the request is denied, the written communication must address the specific reasons for the denial; merely stating that the request does not demonstrate a sincerely held religious belief is not sufficient articulation.
In the absence of a building school nurse, the building principal may designate an individual to issue/collect the form and distribute the immunization materials. However, the building principal still must review all requests and communicate in writing with parents/guardians and cannot assign these duties to the designee.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact the Student Support Services Team at (518) 486-6090.
SCHOOL DISTRICT PROCEDURES for Implementing Requests for Religious Exemption to Immunization
March 2006
1. Upon request, the school nurse or principal’s designee will issue to the parent/guardian seeking a religious exemption to immunization for his or her child the Request for Religious Exemption to Immunization Form–Parent/Guardian Statement, will provide the parent/guardian with Centers for Disease Control/NYS Department of Health informational immunization materials, and also will provide guidance if requested for the form’s completion. The parent/guardian is encouraged to meet with the school nurse or principal’s designee for this purpose; however, a meeting is not required.
2. The parent/guardian will return the signed and notarized form to the school nurse or principal’s designee. The form must be signed by the parent/guardian and notarized by a notary public, or it will not be accepted for review and will be returned to the parent/guardian for completion.
3. The building principal will be responsible for the review of each request for a religious exemption to immunization. If, after review of the parental/guardian statement, questions remain about the existence of a sincerely held religious belief, Department of Health regulation [10 NYCRR, Section 66-1.3(d)] permits the principal to request supporting documents. Some examples include:
• A letter from an authorized representative of the church, temple, religious institution, etc. attended by the parent/guardian, literature from the church, temple, religious institution, etc. explaining doctrine/beliefs that prohibit immunization (Note: Parents/guardians need not necessarily be a member of an organized religion or religious institution to obtain a religious exemption);
• Other writings or sources upon which the parent/guardian relied in formulating religious beliefs that prohibit immunization;
• A copy of any parental/guardian statements to healthcare providers or school district officials in a district of prior residence explaining the religious basis for refusing immunization;
• Any documents or other information the parent/guardian may be willing to provide that reflect a sincerely held religious objection to immunization (for example: disclosure of whether parent/guardian or other children have been immunized, parent/guardian’s current position on allowing himself or herself or his or her children to receive or refuse other kinds of medical treatment.)
4. The parent/guardian may request a meeting with the principal in order to provide further information about his or her sincerely held religious beliefs.
5. The parent/guardian must be informed in writing by the building principal regarding the approval or denial of the exemption request with copies to the school nurse or principal’s designee and the school superintendent. If the request is denied, the parent/guardian notification letter must include the specific reason(s) for denial.
6. If a request for a religious exemption is denied, a parent/guardian may appeal the denial to the Commissioner of Education within thirty (30) days of the decision, pursuant to Education Law, Section 310.
REQUEST FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION TO IMMUNIZATION FORM
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