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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the vaccination against bacterial meningitis of |
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entering students at public and private or independent institutions |
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of higher education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 51.9192, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d-2) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b) This section applies only to an entering student at an |
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institution of higher education or private or independent |
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institution of higher education. This section does not apply to a |
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student of an institution who is enrolled only in online or other |
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distance education courses or who is 22 [30] years of age or older. |
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For purposes of this subsection, "entering student" includes: |
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(1) a new student, as defined by Section 51.9191; and |
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(2) a student who previously attended an institution |
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of higher education or private or independent institution of higher |
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education before January 1, 2012, and who is enrolling in the same |
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or another institution of higher education or private or |
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independent institution of higher education following a break in |
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enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester. |
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(d-2) An affidavit submitted under Subsection (d)(2) must |
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be: |
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(1) on a form described by Section 161.0041, Health |
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and Safety Code; and |
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(2) submitted to the appropriate admitting official |
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not later than the 90th day after the date the affidavit is |
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notarized. |
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SECTION 2. Section 161.0041(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A person claiming an exemption from a required |
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immunization based on reasons of conscience, including a religious |
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belief, under Section 161.004 of this code, Section 38.001, |
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51.9192, or 51.933, Education Code, or Section 42.043, Human |
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Resources Code, must complete an affidavit on a form provided by the |
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department stating the reason for the exemption. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply |
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beginning with entering students enrolling in public or private or |
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independent institutions of higher education in this state on or |
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after January 1, 2014. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect October 1, 2013. |