![]() Across the Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley and Southern Tier, there were more than 5,560 students with religious exemptions: three percent of students enrolled in Columbia County fell into this category. Nassau County was close behind with 1,604 students claiming a religious exemption, and Orange County, which had 1,227. ![]() The county with most religious exemptions was Rockland County with 1,663 religious exemptions according to a report from the New York State Health Foundation. Last year, 26,627 students in public and private schools in New York State had religious exemptions from vaccinations, and 4,571 had medical exemptions, according to the state Department of Health. Sims said school administrators should consult with their attorneys to create a letter which informs parents of the specific reason(s) for their child's exclusion and explain parents' rights to appeal to the commissioner of education within 30 days of the exclusion decision. If a child has been refused admission to school due to lack of proof of vaccination, the principal in charge of the school is required by state Public Health Law section 2164(8-a) to inform local health authorities and provide the parent with a "consent form" to allow vaccination by local health authorities. ![]() "The same goes for principals who may have excluded children who walk, ride or get dropped off at school."ĭistricts contacted by On Board said they were aware of the requirements but declined to provide specifics about how they will handle the task of excluding unvaccinated children. "Districts should also be prepared to advise bus drivers about what to do if excluded children still show up at the bus stop," said Heather Cole, an attorney with Ferrara Fiorenza PC in East Syracuse. If unauthorized attempts to enter are made, the letter should advise that such student(s) will be considered to be in trespass and law enforcement will be summoned as needed. The letter should note that children who are not properly vaccinated will not be allowed to enter school the following day. She recommends sending a final notice by overnight mail to arrive on or just before the 14th calendar day after the first instructional day of school. "Many of our clients have been sending written 'warning' notices to parents whose children have deficiencies in immunization requirements," said Beth Sims, an attorney with Shaw, Perelson, May & Lambert, LLP in Poughkeepsie. The law applies to children who attend public, private, and religious schools, as well as students who are home schooled and those attending day care and summer camp. Then their children can attend school until June 30, 2020. ![]() "A school could be subject to a fine of up to $2,000 for each violation of the vaccination requirements," said Jill Montag, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health.įamilies of students who get their first round of vaccines also need to show within the first 30 days of school that follow up appointments have been scheduled for the necessary follow-up doses. School attorneys are recommending schools have a strategy to ensure they are complying with the law, especially because they can be fined for failing to do so. However, children may remain enrolled in school only if they have received the first doses of appropriate immunizations within the first 14 calendar days after instruction starts, according to a law Governor Andrew M. But many are uncertain about what Day 15 will look like.ĭespite a new law ending religious exemption from vaccinations, unvaccinated children were allowed to start classes this fall. Amid concern about how a new vaccination law will affect school enrollments, school administrators say the opening day of school was uneventful.
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