A.
Enrollment or Attendance Without
Immunization Information
A child who does not provide a certificate of immunization or
proof of immunity against a disease listed in this rule is not permitted to
enroll in or attend school unless one or more of the following circumstances
apply:
1. Written Assurance from
Parent of Private Effort to Immunize Child: The parent provides the school with
a written assurance that the child will be immunized by private effort within
90 days of enrollment or of the child first attending, whichever date is the
earliest, in accordance with
20-A MRS
§6355(1).
The granting of this 90-day period is a one-time provision.
If, after 90 days have passed, the parent fails to provide the required
certificate of immunization or proof of immunity against each of the diseases
listed in this rule, then the superintendent must exclude the student from
school and may permit the student's return upon receipt of evidence of the
required immunizations, immunity or exemption under law.
2. Written Consent to Immunize Child: The
parent grants written consent for the child's immunization by a public health
officer, physician, nurse or other authorized person in their employ, or acting
as an agent of the school, where such immunization programs are in
effect.
3. Medical exemption in
accordance with
20-A MRS
§6355(2).
4. Individualized Education Plan: In
accordance with
20-A MRS
§6355(4), a student
covered by an individualized education plan on September 1, 2021 who elected a
philosophical or religious exemption from immunization requirements on or
before September 1, 2021 pursuant to the law in effect prior to that date, may
continue to attend school under that student's existing exemption as long as:
a. The parent or guardian of the student
provides a statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician
assistant that the physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant has
consulted with that parent or guardian and has made that parent or guardian
aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize; or
b. If the student is 18 years of
age or older, the student provides a statement from a licensed physician, nurse
practitioner or physician assistant that the physician, nurse practitioner or
physician assistant has consulted with that student and has made that student
aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize.
If a student has an immunization exemption in accordance with
this section, the student will be able to maintain that exemption after
dismissal from special education services and will be considered exempt until
the child is no longer eligible for free, appropriate public education (FAPE).
