HB783: Immunizations; authority of the Commissioner of Health, religious exception.

HOUSE BILL NO. 783

Offered January 12, 2022
Prefiled January 11, 2022
A BILL to amend and reenact § 32.1-48 of the Code of Virginia, relating to immunizations; authority of the Commissioner of Health; religious exception.
Patron-- LaRock

Committee Referral Pending

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 (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.