Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) A student is not required to submit
evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis or evidence
of receiving a booster dose if:
(1) the
student is 22 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the
semester; or
(2) the student is
enrolled only in online or other distance education courses; or
(3) the student is enrolled in a continuing
education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or continuing
education corporate training; or
(4) the student is enrolled in a dual credit
course which is taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a
higher education institution campus; or
(5) the student is incarcerated in a Texas
prison.
(b) A student,
or a parent or guardian of a student, is not required to submit evidence of
receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis if the student, or a
parent or guardian of a student, submits to the institution:
(1) an affidavit or a certificate signed by a
physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the
United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the
vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the
student;
(2) an affidavit signed by
the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial
meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A
conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services
must be used for students attending a public university, health-related
institution, or private or independent institution of higher education. The
form must be submitted to the designated department or unit no later than the
90th day after the date the affidavit is notarized; or
(3) evidence of submitting a conscientious
objection form through a secure, Internet-based process developed and
implemented by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The Internet form
may be used by entering students attending a public junior college. Public
junior colleges may use the Internet-based process as the exclusive method to
apply for an exemption from the vaccination requirement for reasons of
conscience.
(c) The
exception noted in subsection (b)(2) and (3) of this section does not apply
during a disaster or public health emergency, terrorist attack, hostile
military or paramilitary action, or extraordinary law enforcement emergency
declared by an appropriate official or authority from the Texas Department of
State Health Services and is in effect for the location of the institution the
student attends.
