An Act To Improve Ghildhood Vaccination Rates in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0471
Committee Amendment CA_A_H426 (House)
Amends: 20-A MRSA §6355, 20-A MRSA §6359

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 310, L.D. 471, Bill, "An Act To 
Improve Ghildhood Vaccination Rates in Maine" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of sections 1 and 2 (page 1, lines 2 to 24 in L.D.) 
and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §6355, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2001, c. 326, §2, is 
further amended to read: 
3. Philosophical or religious exemption. The parent states in writing a sincere 
religious belief that is contrary to the immunization requirement of this subchapter or an 
opposition to the immunization for philosophical reasons. The parent seeking a 
philosophical exemption must include with the statement written documentation signed 
by a health care practitioner authorized to prescribe and administer immunizations 
verifying that the health care practitioner has reviewed with the parent information about 
the risks and benefits of immunization that is consistent with information published by 
the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease CQntrol and 
Prevention~ ,The written documentation must be signed bX the health', care pr~ctitioner 
authorized to prescribe and administer immunizations prior to the enrollment of the child 
in a school. 
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §6359, sub-§3, ~, as amended by PL 2001, c. 326, §6, is 
further amended to read: 
B. 
The student or the parent, if the student is a minor, states in writing a sincere 
religious belief; 't'fflioh that is contrary to the immunization requirement of this 
subchapter or an opposition to the immunization for philosophical reasons. The 
parent seeking a philosophical exemption must include with the statement written 
documentation signed by a health care practitioner authorized to prescribe and 
administer immunizations verifying that the health care practitioner has reviewed 
with the parent information about the risks and benefits of immunization that is 
consistent with information published by the federal Department of Health and 
Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
The written 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 310, L.P. 471 
documentation must be signed by the health care practitioner authorized to prescribe 
and administer immunizations prior to the enrollment of the child in a schgo1.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment specifies that a health care practitioner who signs the written 
documentation verifying that the health care practitioner has reviewed with the parent the 
risks and benefits of immunization must be authorized to prescribe and administer 
immunizations. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 06112/15 
.:tPaC!. 
LD471 
LR 840(02) 
An Act To Improve Childhood Vaccination Rates in Maine 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'A'{ J-t-4-J. LiJ 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt the changes in this bill are expected to 
be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0840(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1