Amendments to SB439
Adopted Feb 24, 2004

Page #1

Senator Prezioso moved to amend the bill on page 7, section 4, line 100, by striking \out the word "or" and inserting in lieu thereof the word "nor";

And,

On page 7, section 4, line 115, by striking out the word "or" and inserting in lieu thereof the word "nor".

Page #2
Senators Prezioso and Minard moved to amend the bill on page 3, section 4, line 22, after the word "practices." by inserting the following:

Proof of immunization is not required for a child entering school if the parent or guardian of the child entering school submits a signed notarized statement attested to by a member of the clergy or religious representative who is authorized to perform marriages in the state pursuant to the provisions of article two, chapter forty-eight of this code, to the county superintendent of schools, or his or her designeee, stating that the parent or guardian has received information from the department of health and human resources as required by subsection (a) of this section, understands the risk and benefits of immunizations and the potential risks of nonimmunization and that due to religious belief(s) the parent or guardian does not consent to the immunization of the child entering school.

And,

On page seven, section 4, line 103, after the word "immunized" by inserting a comma and the words "and is not exempted from immunization,".

Attorneys for both the HSLDA and Liberty Counsel have said that this language is unconstitutional. The state cannot require that someone's religious beliefs be approved by clergy of an established religion.