North Carolina SB 373: Vaccination Schedule Variance/Minors.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 373

Short Title: Vaccination Schedule Variance/Minors. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Moffitt, Sawrey, and Overcash (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 24, 2025
*S373-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO ENSURE MINORS ARE NOT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST FOR VARIANCE 2
IN RECOMMENDED VACCINATION SCHEDULES. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. Article 1A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by 5
adding a new section to read: 6
"§ 90-21.5A. Treatment of minors through vaccination schedule. 7
(a) A health care practitioner shall not refuse to accept a minor as a patient in their 8
medical practice or at a hospital solely on the basis of the minor's refusal or the minor's parent, 9
guardian, or custodian's refusal to comply with timing or frequency of the recommended 10
vaccination and immunization schedule as set forth in the Centers for Disease Control and 11
Prevention's Child Immunization Schedule. A refusal to have a vaccination altogether under this 12
section shall not be construed to supersede a requirement under G.S. 130A-152 set forth by the 13
Commission for Public Health; however, a variance in recommended schedule or delay in 14
administration of a recommended vaccination shall be allowed under G.S. 130A-152(c)(1). 15
(b) For the purpose of this section, the term "health care practitioner" means a physician 16
licensed to practice medicine under Article 1 of this Chapter, a physician assistant, or advanced 17
practice registered nurse licensed to administer immunizations or vaccinations under their 18
respective scope of licensure. 19
(c) Violation of this section shall constitute unprofessional conduct under each health 20
care practitioner's occupational licensing board." 21
SECTION 2.(a) The North Carolina Medical Board and North Carolina Board of 22
Nursing shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this act. 23
SECTION 2.(b) The Commission for Public Health shall adopt rules to allow for 24
exemptions under G.S. 130A-152(c)(1) for minors who elect to delay the administration of an 25
immunization or vaccination under this section. 26
SECTION 3. Section 1 of this act becomes effective October 1, 2025. The remainder 27
of this act is effective when it becomes law. 28