New York Assembly Bill A01263

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/25
• Refer: 1/9/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to the publication of immunization information; requires schools to provide immunization information to the commissioner of health; requires the department of health to make immunization information, including rates of immunization, available on its website.

Summary

A01263 would expand New York’s public reporting of school immunization data. It requires every school to submit an annual summary to the Commissioner of Health showing, for each required immunization series, how many and what percentage of students are fully immunized, not fully immunized, or exempt, as well as overall schoolwide totals for those categories. The bill also allows school districts to submit the forms on behalf of schools within the district. The bill further directs the Department of Health to publish this information prominently on its website in a searchable database. In addition to school-by-school compliance data, the department would have to provide statewide trend analyses, identify schools, districts, or areas with immunization rates below 95% or otherwise vulnerable to communicable disease spread, and include any other information it deems relevant. The bill includes a confidentiality safeguard prohibiting publication of information that could identify an individual child, parent, guardian, or person in parental relationship, and it would take effect on January 1, 2026.

Impact

The bill would amend Public Health Law section 2164 and add a new section 2169-a, creating a more detailed statewide disclosure framework for school immunization compliance. It would increase reporting obligations for schools and school districts, and it would require the Department of Health to maintain and publish a public-facing database and analytical summaries on immunization rates and exemptions. Schools with lower vaccination coverage could be specifically identified, which may affect public awareness, parental decision-making, and local health oversight.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a public health transparency bill rather than a controversial policy change. Its stated purpose is to improve access to immunization information and highlight areas at risk for communicable disease spread. The overall tone suggests support for public disclosure and disease prevention, with no documented opposition or amendments in the available record.

Contention

The main likely point of contention is the balance between transparency and privacy. Supporters would likely emphasize public health benefits, accountability, and the ability for families and officials to identify low-immunization areas. Critics may raise concerns about confidentiality, stigmatization of schools or communities with lower vaccination rates, administrative burden on schools, or the potential misuse of publicly available exemption and compliance data. The bill attempts to address privacy concerns by prohibiting publication of individually identifiable information.