Resolve, Directing the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services To Jointly Adopt Rules To Protect Children's Health

Sec. 1. Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services joint adoption of updated vaccination requirements. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall amend its Chapter 126: Immunization Requirements for School Children and the Department of Health and Human Services shall amend its Chapter 261: Immunization Requirements for School Children jointly as follows.

1. Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccination. The departments shall amend their respective rules to require students to receive a vaccination that contains a tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis, or Tdap, vaccine during the 7th grade. This requirement must meet the most recent standards approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Public Health Service and be in accordance with the most recent recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

2. Meningococcal vaccinations. The departments shall amend their respective rules to require students to receive vaccinations that contain a meningococcal vaccine during the 7th grade and a booster dose during the 12th grade. This requirement must meet the most recent standards approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Public Health Service and be in accordance with the most recent recommendations of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

3. Adoption schedule. The departments shall adopt rules pursuant to this section by August 1, 2016. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6358, subsection 1, rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

summary

This resolve directs the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to jointly amend their rules on immunization requirements for schoolchildren to establish requirements for what are commonly known as Tdap and meningitis vaccinations before the start of school year 2016-2017.