Immunizations


 * __SECTION XIII: IMMUNIZATIONS __**

**2. FAILING TO SUBMIT PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION** **3. EXEMPTIONS** **4. REQUESTS FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION** **5. DETERMINATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION** **6. PREVIOUS GRANTS OF RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION** **7. GENUINE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS** **8. PROHIBITING IMMUNIZATIONS SINCERELY HELD** **9. BOARD POLICY** ||
 * __LINKS TO SPECIFIC TOPICS__: **
 * **1. SUBMIT PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION**


 * 1. __IMMUNIZATIONS: SUBMIT PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION__ **

Every student entering or attending public school must be immunized, as required by section 2164 of the Public Health Law (914). In accordance with that law, public school students must be immunized against poliomyelitis, mumps, measles, diphtheria, rubella, varicella, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pertussis, tetanus, pneumococcal disease, and hepatitis B (Public Health Law 2164(2)(a); 10 NYCRR 66-1.1, 66-1.3; 8 NYCRR 136.3(c)(2)). (New York State School Boards Association [NYSSBA], 2010, p. 399, School Law § 20:13)

Furthermore, children born on or after January 1, 1994, and entering sixth grade or comparable age special education program on or after September 1, 2007, must receive a booster immunization containing a vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and a cellular pertussis (Public Health Law 2164(2)(b)). (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 399, School Law § 20:13)

In addition, school districts must participate in surveys and audits directed by the New York State Commissioner of Health regarding the immunization level of children entering and attending school, and provide any records or reports required for that purpose ( 914(3); Public Health Law 613(2), 2168). (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 399, School Law § 20:13)


 * 2. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__IMMUNIZATIONS: FAILING TO SUBMIT PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">If a student fails to submit proof of immunization, the school principal must inform the students’ parents of the necessity to have the student immunized, that the required immunizations may be administered by any health practitioner, or at no cost by the county health officer upon parental consent. The students parents also must be informed that, as a pre-requisite for their child’s admission to, or continued attendance at, school, they must either choose a health practitioner to administer the immunization, or provide consent for the county health officer, or a school physician or nurse to administer the immunization, unless they state a valid reason for withholding such consent (Public Health Law 2164(6)). (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 399-400, School Law § 20:14)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">No child may be admitted to, or allowed to attend, school for more than 14 days without an appropriate immunization certificate or other acceptable evidence of immunization. A school principal may extend this period to 30 days on a case-by-case basis when a student has transferred from another state or country and can show a good faith effort to get the necessary certificate or other evidence of immunization (Public Health Law 2164(7)(a)). (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 399-400, School Law § 20:14)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In addition, a school principal must report to the local health authority the name and address of any student refused admission or continued attendance for lack of proof of immunizations. The principal also must notify the students parents of any such exclusion, provide them with an immunization consent form, and cooperate with the local health authority in scheduling a time and place for immunizing a child for whom consent has been obtained (Public Health Law 2164(8-a)(a)). (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 399-400, School Law § 20:14)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A student may appeal a denial of admission to, or continued attendance at, school to the commissioner of education (Public Health Law 2164(7)(b)). (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 399-400, School Law § 20:14)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">3. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__IMMUNIZATIONS: EXEMPTIONS__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Students may be admitted to school or continue attendance without a certificate or proof of immunization if: A physician will testify or certify that administering a vaccine to a specific student will be detrimental to that students’ health (Public Health Law 2164(8)); or (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 400, School Law § 20:15)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In the case of varicella, either a health care provider documents the child has already had varicella, or there is serologic evidence the child has immunity to varicella (Public Health Law 2164(2-a); 10 NYCRR 66-1.3(a)(9)); or (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 400, School Law § 20:15)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The students’ parents claim an exemption based on genuine and sincerely held religious beliefs that are contrary to the practice of immunization (Public Health Law 2164(9)). (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 400, School Law § 20:15)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Federal Appellate Courts: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“Nonetheless, a religiously based opposition to immunizations must be founded on sincerely held religious beliefs rather than medical or purely moral considerations, scientific and secular theories, or philosophical and personal beliefs” (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 400-401, School Law § 20:15). “This includes personalized interpretations of concepts and practices found in various religions” (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 400-401, School Law § 20:15).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Mason v. General Brown CSD//, 851 F.2d 47 (2d Cir. 1988)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Farina v. BOE of the City of N.Y.//, 116 F.Supp.2d 503 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Sherr v. Northport-East Northport UFSD//, 672 F.Supp. 81 (E.D.N.Y 1987)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Matter of Christine M.//, 157 Misc.2d 4 (Fam. Ct. Kings Cnty. 1992)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.S.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 106 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of S.B.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 332 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of H.K. and T.K.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 56 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of K.E.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 54 (2008)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of L.P.//, 46 Ed Dept Rep 341 (2007)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“Opposition to immunization may not be framed in terms of religious beliefs merely to gain the exemption” (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 400-401, School Law § 20:15).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Sherr v. Northport-East Northport UFSD//, 672 F.Supp. 81 (E.D.N.Y 1987)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Matter of Christine M.//, 157 Misc.2d 4 (Fam. Ct. Kings Cnty. 1992)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**Federal District Court** **(New York):**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“Parents may claim a religious exemption even if they are not members of a recognized religious organization whose doctrines oppose vaccination” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 400, School Law § 20:15).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Farina v. BOE of the City of N.Y.//, 116 F.Supp.2d 503 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">L//ewis v. Sobol//, 710 F.Supp. 506 (S.D.N.Y. 1989)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Sherr v. Northport-East Northport UFSD//, 672 F.Supp. 81 (E.D.N.Y 1987)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Matter of Christine M.//, 157 Misc.2d 4 (Fam. Ct. Kings Cnty. 1992)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.S.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 106 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of H.K. and T.K.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 56 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of L.S.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 227 (2008)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">** New York **** State **** Commissioner of Education Appeals: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“A medical exemption certificate must indicate why immunization would be detrimental to the student seeking the exemption” (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 400-401, School Law § 20:15). “A student may seek a medical exemption from any or all of the required vaccinations” (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 400-401, School Law § 20:15).
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Appeal of M.E.F. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">, 43 Ed Dept Rep 248 (2003)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of McGann//, 32 Ed Dept Rep 187 (1992)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">4. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__IMMUNIZATIONS: REQUESTS FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">** New York **** State **** Commissioner of Education Appeals: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“Parents seeking a religious exemption from immunizations must submit to their school district a written and signed statement declaring their objection to immunizations due to sincere and genuine religious beliefs that prohibit the immunization of their child (10 NYCRR 66-1.3(d)” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 401, School Law § 20:16).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.S.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 106 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of H.K. and T.K.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 56 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of S.B.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 332 (2009)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“A school principal may request supporting documentation if, following review of the parental statement, questions remain about the existence of a sincerely held religious belief (10 NYCRR 66-1.3(d))” (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 400-401, School Law § 20:15). Therefore the “burden is on the parents to establish their right to the exemption” (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 400-401, School Law § 20:15).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.S.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 106 (2009).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of H.K. and T.K.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 56 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of S.B.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 332 (2009)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__IMMUNIZATIONS: DETERMINATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**Federal District Court** **(New York):**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“School officials must determine whether the purported beliefs that support the opposition to immunizations are religious in nature and, only if they are, whether they are genuine and sincerely held” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 401, School Law §20:17).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> //Farina v. BOE of the City of N.Y.//, 116 F.Supp.2d 503 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Sherr v. Northport-East Northport,// 672 F.Supp. 81 (E.D.N.Y. 1987)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“A school district may be held financially liable if it denies a religious exemption in violation of a parent’s constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion under the First Amendment” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 401, School Law § 20:17).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Lewis v. Sobol//, 710 F.Supp. 506 (S.D.N.Y. 1989)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">** New York **** State **** Commissioner of Education Appeals: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“Whether a student is exempt from immunization because of religious reasons is determined, in the first instance, by school district officials” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 401, School Law § 20:17).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.S.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 106 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of H.K. and T.K.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 56 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of S.B.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 332 (2009)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“When determining whether a parent’s religious beliefs are genuine, school district officials do not have to simply accept a statement of religious belief without some examination” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 401, School Law § 20:17). “Similarly, they should not simply reject a statement either without further examination and the school district should evidence that the application was fully examined” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 401, School Law § 20:17).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.S.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 106 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of H.K. and T.K//., 49 Ed Dept Rep 56 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of S.B.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 332 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of L.S.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 227 (2008)


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Petitioners claimed their daughter to be exempt from immunizations for "genuine and sincere religious" beliefs (New York State Education Department [NYSED], 2011, Decisions No. 14,724). “They also claimed that the denial was based on an unconstitutional board policy and violates their constitutional right to the free exercise of religion” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 14,724). Appeal was dismissed, however, it was “ordered that the school district immediately amend its immunization policy in accordance with Public Health Law §2164(9)” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 14,724).
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Appeal of E.Q. and B.Q. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">, Decision No. 14,724, 41 Ed Dept Rep 399 (2002)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">6. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__IMMUNIZATIONS: PREVIOUS GRANTS OF RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">** New York **** State **** Commissioner of Education Appeals **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“A middle school principal, for example, can deny a religious exemption from immunization to a student previously granted such an exemption by the elementary school principal in the same school district (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 401, School Law § 20:18). The middle school principal “may conduct a separate inquiry to ensure compliance with statutory immunization requirements” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 401, School Law § 20:18).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of K.E.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 54 (2008)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“A religious exemption granted by school officials in another school district previously attended by a student is not binding on school officials of the district of current attendance” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:18). “Actually, district officials of the new district are obligated to make their own determination whether any one of their students qualifies for a religious exemption” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:18).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of S.B.//, 48 Ed Dept Rep 332 (2009)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Petitioner stated that her religious beliefs “precluded” her from having her children “injected with small amounts of various diseases” and that the school district previously granted a religious exemption from immunization to student’s older brother, who graduated from school district’s high school” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 16,175). Appeal was dismissed (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 16,175)
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Appeal of A.C. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">, Decision No. 16,175


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">7. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__IMMUNIZATIONS: GENUINE RELIGIOUS BELIEF__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**Federal District Court** **(New York):**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“School district officials do not have to accept a parent’s mere statement that they have a sincere and genuine belief contrary to the practice of immunization, or that God provides an immune system as proof that a student’s parents hold such beliefs” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:19). “Instead, parents must articulate the religious basis or origin of their beliefs” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:19).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Farina v. BOE of the City of N.Y.//, 116 F.Supp.2d 503 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of R.P.//, 47 Ed Dept Rep 124 (2007)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of J.F.//, 45 Ed Dept Rep 241 (2005)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of Quigley//, 41 Ed Dept Rep 399 (2002)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“A parent’s religious beliefs can be personal therefore they do not have to be consistent with the dogma of any organized religion, or founded upon a belief in the fundamental premise of a God as commonly understood in western philosophy” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:19). In addition, “parents may not be asked about their religious affiliation, or that they provide a letter from their church regarding their religious beliefs, just the nature of their beliefs” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:19).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Farina v. BOE of the City of N.Y.//, 116 F.Supp.2d 503 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of L.P.//, 46 Ed Dept Rep 341 (2007)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//U.S.// //v. Seeger//, 380 U.S. 163 (1965)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Intl Socy for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. v. Barker//, 650 F.2d 430 (2d Cir. 1981)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Mason v. General Brown CSD//, 851 F.2d 47 (2d Cir. 1988)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Sherr v. Northport-East Northport//, 672 F.Supp.2d 81 (E.D.N.Y. 1989)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Matter of Christine M.//, 157 Misc.2d 4 (Fam. Ct. Kings Cnty. 1992)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“What is required is that a parents’ personal religious belief occupies a place in the parents’ life that is parallel to that filled by the orthodox belief in God and that the parent will categorically disregard elementary self-interest rather than transgressing religious tenets” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:19).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//U.S.// //v. Seeger//, 380 U.S. 163 (1965)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Intl Socy for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. v. Barker//, 650 F.2d 430 (2d Cir. 1981)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Mason v. General Brown CSD//, 851 F.2d 47 (2d Cir. 1988)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Sherr v. Northport-East Northport,// 672 F.Supp.2d 81 (E.D.N.Y. 1989)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Matter of Christine M.//, 157 Misc.2d 4 (Fam. Ct. Kings Cnty. 1992)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//U.S.// //v. Allen//, 760 F.2d 447 (2d Cir. 1985)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Lewis v. Sobol//, 710 F.Supp. 506 (S.D.N.Y. 1989)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">** New York **** State **** Commissioner of Education Appeals: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Parents must articulate a description of their religious beliefs therefore reliance on Bible passages, while at the same time being a member of a church that leaves decisions on the use of immunizations to the individual, is insufficient to establish a sincerely held religious belief” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 15,792).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of K.E.//, Decision No. 15,792


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Petitioners had a letter that they submitted to a previous school stating they had "sincere and genuine belief contrary to the practice of immunization" however, nothing in that letter expressed their religious beliefs” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 15,310). “In meeting with the school district stated in another letter “because we hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are inconsistent with these medical procedures" however the letter did not describe their beliefs” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 15,310). Therefore the appeal was dismissed (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 15,310).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of J.F. and D.F.//, Decision No. 15,310


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Petitioner requested religious exemption on the grounds that to vaccinate her son with certain vaccines that contained aborted fetal tissue” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 16,294). The parents “submitted a letter where they stated “It is my sincere religious belief that Gods [sic] commandment “Thou shalt not kill” includes the aborting of human fetuses” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 16,294). “Appeal was sustained and the school district must grant petitioner’s son religious exemptions from the immunization requirements specified in this decision pursuant to Public Health Law § 2164” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 16,294).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">//Appeal of B.O-G.//, Decision No. 16,294


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Petitioner requested religious exemption from immunization for their children due to held religious beliefs of Orthodox Judaism claiming that respondent improperly rejected their request for an exemption” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 16,144). Appeal was sustained and the “school district must grant petitioners’ children religious exemptions from the immunization requirements pursuant to Public Health Law §2164(9)” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 16,144).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of D.W. and N.W.//, Decision No. 16,144


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Petitioner requested an immunization exemption for student based on “sincere religious principles and beliefs” based on Public Health Law §2164(9)” NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 15,520). Appeal was sustained and “the school district must grant student a religious exemption from the immunization requirements pursuant to Public Health Law §2164(9)” (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 15,520).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">//Appeal of C.D. and E.D.//, Decision No. 15,520


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">8. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__IMMUNIZATIONS: PROHIBITING IMMUNIZATIONS SINCERELY HELD__**


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">United States ****<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Supreme Court: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Religious exemption was disallowed when “the court in this case held that an exemption based on religious grounds would discriminate against the vast majority of children whose parents did not subscribe to a religious conviction” (Essex, 2012, p. 286).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> //Brown v. Stone//, 378 So. 2d 218 (Miss. 1980), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 887 (1980)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Federal Appellate Courts: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Couple argued that their “beliefs of the Universal Life Church were sincere and that the term religious expanded beyond belief in a deity” however the court ruled that that was “not a bona fide religious organization and since no violation of the First Amendment rights, there was no basis for any damage claim” (Essex, 2012, p. 286).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">//Mason v. General Brown Cent. School District//, 851 F. 2d 47 (2d Cir. 1988)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**Federal District Court** **(New York):**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Court provided an exemption to student whose parents were not members of an organized church when they found that “the parent’s beliefs were sincere in that these beliefs permeated every facet of their lives” even though they had on one occasion relinquished their opposition to immunization (Essex, 2012, pp. 286-287). In addition the court also “awarded monetary damages to the family for monetary distress” (Essex, 2012, pp. 286-287).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">//Lewis v. Sobel//, 710 F. Supp. 506 (S.D.N.Y. 1989)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> “When determining whether a parent’s religious beliefs are sincerely held, school district officials must make a good faith effort to assess the credibility of the parent’s sentiments and sincerity” and “they may draw inferences from the parent’s words and actions” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:20). This included “a parent’s attitude toward sickness and health, and whether the parent joined a particular organized group in order to gain an exemption from immunization” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:20). “School district officials can also rely on their observation of the parent’s demeanor and forthrightness” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:20).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Matter of Christine M.//, 157 Misc.2d 4 (Fam. Ct. Kings Cnty. 1992)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.S.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 106 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of J.F.//, 45 Ed Dept Rep 241 (2005)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Farina v. BOE of the City of N.Y.//, 116 F.Supp.2d 503 (S.D.N.Y. 2000)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Mason v. General Brown CSD//, 851 F.2d 47 (2d Cir. 1988)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Sherr v. Northport-East Northport//, 672 F.Supp.2d 81 (E.D.N.Y. 1989)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of H.K. and T.K.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 56 (2009)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“A religious belief would not be sincerely held if, for instance, the person adhering to the belief acts in a manner inconsistent with that belief, or gains by fraudulently hiding secular interests behind religious doctrine” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 402, School Law § 20:20).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Intl Socy for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. v. Barker//, 650 F.2d 430 (2d Cir. 1981)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Lewis v. Sobol//, 710 F.Supp. 506 (S.D.N.Y. 1989)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Sherr v. Northport-East Northport//, 672 F.Supp.2d 81 (E.D.N.Y. 1989)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Matter of Christine M.//, 157 Misc.2d 4 (Fam. Ct. Kings Cnty. 1992)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">“An occasional or past departure from ones religious practices does not necessarily negate the sincerity of religious beliefs” (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 402-403, School Law § 20:20).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Lewis v. Sobol//, 710 F.Supp. 506 (S.D.N.Y. 1989)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.D.//, 46 Ed Dept Rep 317 (2007)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">** New York **** State **** Commissioner of Education Appeals: **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dismissed the appeal of a petitioner who requested an exemption from the Hepatitis B vaccination based on “religion and beliefs that nothing be placed into our body that doesn’t belong there” however the student had all other required immunizations (NYSED, 2011, Decisions No. 15,111)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">//Appeal of D.L.//, Decision No. 15,111


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The “fact that a child has been previously immunized is not dispositive in determining the parents’ genuine and sincere religious beliefs against immunization” (NYSSBA, 2010, pp. 402-403, School Law § 20:20).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.S.//, 49 Ed Dept Rep 106 (2009)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//Appeal of C.D.//, 46 Ed Dept Rep 317 (2007)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">9. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **__IMMUNIZATIONS: BOARD POLICY__**

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Board Policy 7511: IMMUNIZATION OF STUDENTS **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> - **STUDENT WELFARE**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility under the Public Health Law to insure that the children under its charge are immunized against measles, polio, diphtheria, mumps, rubella, *Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B. Additionally, the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine shall be required for all children born on or after January 1, 1998 who will enter grades kindergarten and above in September 2003; and for all children born on or after January 1, 2000 and enrolled in any school as defined in Public Health Law Section 2164(1). The Board, therefore, requires that a physician's certificate or some other acceptable evidence of immunization be submitted for all children entering and presently attending school. (Randolph Central School District, 2011, Board Policy 7511)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Board directs the administration not to permit any child lacking evidence of immunization to remain in school for more than fourteen (14) days, or thirty (30) days for an out-of-state transferee who can show an effort to obtain the necessary evidence or certification. The administration should notify the local health authority of the name and address of the child, as well as to provide the person in parental relation to the child who has been denied admission or attendance a statement of his/her duty regarding immunization and a consent form prescribed by the Commissioner of Health. The school shall cooperate with the local health authorities to provide a time and place for the immunization of children lacking same. (Randolph Central School District, 2011, Board Policy 7511)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">The only exceptions to this policy are as follows: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">a) If a child whose parent, parents, or guardian hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practices required, no certificate shall be required as a prerequisite to such child being admitted or received into school or attending school; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">b) If a physician will certify that administering a vaccine to a particular child is detrimental to the child's health, the requirement may be waived by the Board.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">A student denied entrance or attendance due to failure of meeting health immunization standards may appeal to the Commissioner of Education. (Randolph Central School District, 2011, Board Policy 7511) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">* Applicable only to Pre-K, Nursery and Day Care. Shall apply to children born on or after January 1, 1993, beginning with their enrollment in any public, private or parochial kindergarten, elementary, intermediate or secondary school, and to children born on or after January 1, 1995, beginning with their enrollment in any school, as defined in Public Health Law Section 2164(1)(a). Also, on or after September 1, 2000, all children are to be immunized against hepatitis B prior to enrollment in the seventh grade in any public, private or parochial intermediate or middle school. (Randolph Central School District, 2011, Board Policy 7511)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Public Health Law Section 2164 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Education Law Section 914