SF4416

Purpose

• Update and simplify Minnesota’s immunization provisions by updating how terms are defined and how immunization standards are set, focusing on an official schedule and how it is determined and published.

Main Provisions

• Redefines key terms related to school enrollment and child care to reflect current contexts:
  • a) Elementary or secondary school includes public schools and certain nonpublic or homeschool arrangements that educate in compliance with Minnesota law.
  • b) A person enrolled in any elementary or secondary school means someone born after 1956 who is enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12, including certain students receiving specialized instruction, with exceptions for those being served at home, at bedside, or who are in other states.
  • c) Child care facility includes programs licensed under state rules.
  • d) Family child care means care for up to ten children at once, with up to six being under school age; the licensed capacity counts all children present.
  • e) Group family child care means care for up to 14 children at once, counting all children present.
• Establishes “Medically acceptable standards” for immunization:
  • The immunization schedule is determined by the Minnesota Commissioner of Health.
  • The schedule must be published in the State Register and on the Department of Health’s website.
  • The determination must be based on evidence-based medical science and consider recommendations from: the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
  • This determination is exempt from the usual rulemaking requirements of Minnesota Rules, chapter 14.

Repealed Provisions

• Repeals Minnesota Rules part 4604.0200 subpart 2a.1.5 as part of the changes.

Significance and Impact

• Aligns Minnesota’s immunization framework with a formal, centralized immunization schedule that is publicly posted and based on major medical organizations.
• Shifts responsibility for defining the immunization timetable to the Commissioner of Health, with a clear emphasis on evidence-based guidance from national organizations.
• Changes how school and child care settings are defined for the purposes of immunization requirements, including specifics on who is considered a student or enrolls in care settings.
• Expands or clarifies which child care arrangements are covered (family and group family child care) and how their capacity is interpreted in relation to immunization provisions.

Notes on Process and Scope

• The changes apply to Minnesota statutes governing immunization definitions and standards and affect enrollment and care settings within the state.
• The immunization schedule will be publicly available and periodically updated by the Department of Health, following the cited expert recommendations.

Relevant Terms - immunization - immunization schedule - medically acceptable standards - commissioner of health - State Register - Department of Health - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) - Minnesota Rules part 4604.0200 subpart 2a.1.5 - rulemaking - chapter 14 - elementary or secondary school - public school - nonpublic school - home school - child care facility - family child care - group family child care - home or bedside services - born after 1956