New Senate Bill Signed by Governor May Give Parents a 30 Day Window on Immunizations

SB 614 (Kehoe)
Childhood immunization.

Existing law, commencing July 1, 2011, until June 30, 2012, prohibits a defined governing authority, which includes the authority of a private institution, from unconditionally admitting or advancing any pupil to the 7th through 12th grade levels of any private or public elementary or secondary school unless the pupil has been fully immunized against pertussis, including all pertussis boosters appropriate for the pupil’s age.

This bill would, until June 30, 2012, authorize the county office of education, the governing board of a school district, or the governing body of a charter school to allow a pupil, advancing to or enrolled in any of grades 7 to 12, inclusive, to conditionally attend school for up to 30 calendar days, as specified, if that pupil has not been fully immunized with all pertussis boosters appropriate for the pupils age if specified conditions are met.

This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

According to Kathy Northington, Calaveras County Superintendant, though each District has not been contacted regarding the enactment of SB 614 she does not "see any reason why a school district would not put this bill in place" pointing out that some schools in the county have already begun. She also stated that she will be in contact with each district and that at the county level they "the County offices will put the bill in place."