Vaccinate America's Children through Complete Information & Education Act of 2015

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to encourage States to adopt administrative procedures with respect to nonmedical exemptions for State immunization requirements. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Vaccinate America's Children through Complete Information & Education Act of 2015 2. Encouraging States to strengthen administrative procedures related to nonmedical exemptions from State vaccination requirements (a) In general Section 1928 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396s (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and (2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection: (h) Administrative procedures for granting nonmedical exemptions (1) Certification of adoption of procedures (A) In general A State program under this section does not comply with the requirements of this section unless the State certifies to the Secretary that the State has established administrative procedures for granting nonmedical exemptions from State immunization requirements (as defined in subparagraph (B)) that include at least 2 of the prerequisites described in paragraph (2). (B) Nonmedical exemption from State immunization requirement For purposes of this subsection, the term nonmedical exemption from State immunization requirements (2) Nonmedical exemption prerequisites The prerequisites for granting a nonmedical exemption from State immunization requirements described in this paragraph are the following: (A) The State requires that prior to the exemption being granted, a parent or guardian seeking a nonmedical exemption from State immunization requirements for a child shall discuss the consequences of nonvaccination with the child's pediatrician or other primary care provider and that the discussion is noted in the child's medical record. (B) The State requires that prior to the exemption being granted, a parent or guardian seeking a nonmedical exemption from State immunization requirements for a child read and sign a form that discusses the risks of nonvaccination and submits the form to the State. (C) The State requires that prior to the exemption being granted, a parent or guardian seeking a nonmedical exemption from State immunization requirements for a child submits to the State a notarized letter describing the parent's or guardian's reasons for seeking the exemption. (D) The State requires that all nonmedical exemptions from State immunization requirements shall only be granted for a 1-year period and shall be required to be renewed annually if a parent or guardian of a child wants the exemption to continue for another year. (3) Penalty (A) In general With respect to a fiscal year, if a State fails to submit the certification required under paragraph (1) or if the administrative procedures established by the State for granting nonmedical exemptions from State immunization requirements do not include at least 2 of the prerequisites described in paragraph (2), the State shall pay the Secretary an amount equal to— (i) in the case of a State that is not a manufacturer of pediatric vaccines, 5 percent of the value (as determined by the Secretary) of the vaccines provided to the State under subsection (b)(2)(A) for that fiscal year; and (ii) in the case of a State that is a manufacturer of pediatric vaccines, 5 percent of the sum of— (I) the value (as determined by the Secretary) of any vaccines provided to the State under subsection (b)(2)(A) for that fiscal year; and (II) the amount paid to the State for the fiscal year under subsection (b)(2)(C). (B) Treatment as an overpayment A State payment required to be made to the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall be deemed an overpayment to the State under this title to be disallowed against the State's regular quarterly draw for all spending under section 1903(d)(2). Such a disallowance is not subject to a reconsideration under section 1116(e). . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 1928 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396s (A) in subsection (a)(1)(A), by striking subsection (h)(8) subsection (i)(8) (B) in subsection (b)(2)(A)(iv), by striking subsection (h)(3) subsection (i)(3) (2) Section 609(d) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 42 U.S.C. 1169(d) section 1928(h)(6) section 1928(i)(6) (c) Effective date The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Vaccinate America's Children through Complete Information & Education Act of 2015 This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a state to certify that it has established, in its pediatric vaccine distribution program, administrative procedures regarding nonmedical exemptions from state immunization requirements. These procedures must include at least two of the following prerequisites for granting a nonmedical exemption: the child's parent or guardian shall discuss the consequences of nonvaccination with the child's primary care provider, as noted in the child's medical record; the child's parent or guardian shall read, sign, and submit to the state a form discussing the risks of nonvaccination; the child's parent of guardian shall submit to the state a notarized letter describing why the exemption is being sought; or all medical exemptions shall be granted for only a one-year period and shall be required to be renewed annually only if the child's parent or guardian wants the exemption to continue for another year. A state that does not comply with these requirements is subject to a monetary penalty.