AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-23-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A CHILD WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE ANY SPECIFIC VACCINATION IN ORDER TO ATTEND A SCHOOL OR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IF THE CHILD'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN SUBMITS TO THE SCHOOL OR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION A LETTER OR AFFIDAVIT THAT DOCUMENTS WHICH REQUIRED VACCINATIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN, AND WHICH VACCINATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ON THE BASIS THAT THEY ARE CONTRARY TO HIS OR HER RELIGIOUS, PHILOSOPHICAL OR CONSCIENTIOUS BELIEFS; TO PRESCRIBE THE CONTENT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LETTER OR AFFIDAVIT SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, SCHOOL OR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF ENROLLMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-20-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE EXEMPTIONS FROM THE IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS LICENSED CHILD CARE FACILITIES WHEN A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OBJECTS TO IMMUNIZATION OF THE CHILD ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE IMMUNIZATION CONFLICTS WITH THE RELIGIOUS, PHILOSOPHICAL OR CONSCIENTIOUS BELIEFS OF THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN; TO PROVIDE THAT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST FIRST FURNISH THE RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL OF THE FACILITY AN AFFIDAVIT IN WHICH THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN SWEARS OR AFFIRMS THAT THE IMMUNIZATION REQUIRED CONFLICTS WITH THE RELIGIOUS, PHILOSOPHICAL OR CONSCIENTIOUS BELIEFS OF THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN BEFORE A CHILD IS EXEMPTED FROM IMMUNIZATION ON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
HB 1244 would expand and clarify Mississippi’s vaccine exemption rules for school, postsecondary, and child care settings. The bill amends the state’s school immunization law to provide that a child may attend school or a postsecondary educational institution without a specific required vaccination if the parent or guardian submits a letter or affidavit identifying which required vaccines have been received and which are being declined because they conflict with religious, philosophical, or conscientious beliefs. It also prescribes the contents of the exemption submission, including statements about vaccine risks and benefits and acknowledgment that an unimmunized child may be excluded during an outbreak.
The bill also amends the child care licensing statute to authorize similar exemptions from immunization requirements for licensed child care facilities. For child care exemptions, the parent or legal guardian must furnish an affidavit stating that the required immunization conflicts with the parent’s or guardian’s beliefs before the child may be exempted. The act would take effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1244 would amend Sections 41-23-37 and 43-20-8 of the Mississippi Code to broaden and formalize nonmedical vaccine exemptions in schools, postsecondary institutions, and licensed child care facilities. It would require schools and facilities to accept notarized affidavits or letters documenting the exemption basis, and it would reinforce existing reporting, compliance, and outbreak exclusion procedures. The bill would not eliminate immunization requirements generally, but it would create a clearer statutory pathway for parents and guardians to opt out on religious, philosophical, or conscientious grounds.
The available context suggests the bill is framed positively by its sponsor as a vaccine-exemption measure, and the caption reflects that purpose directly. However, there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate broader legislative sentiment. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be supported by lawmakers favoring expanded parental choice and religious liberty in vaccination policy, while likely drawing concern from public health advocates who prioritize higher immunization rates.
The main point of contention is the balance between individual belief-based exemptions and public health protections. Supporters would likely emphasize parental rights, religious freedom, and conscientious objection, while opponents would likely object that expanding exemptions could reduce vaccination coverage and increase the risk of outbreaks in schools and child care settings. The bill also requires disclosure of vaccine status and acknowledges possible exclusion during outbreaks, which may be seen as a safeguard by supporters and as insufficient by critics concerned about disease control.