Alternative to This Form?

[Turquesa]

http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.go...ersion=Staging

The link above is the required immunization exemption form for pre-school and daycare in my state. The school entry form is almost identical. It's based almost ver batim on the AAP's Bad Mommy Form that many doctors "make" you sign.

Do I have a legal requirement to fill out the reasons for exemption (they're philosophical, which I'm allowed to do here)?

Also, may I legally modify it or use my own form? I don't want to sign on to something so patronizing and self-incriminating!

TIA!

[Emmeline II]

Your law only requires a signed statement:

Any minor child whose parent or guardian has submitted a signed statement to school officials stating their objections on religious or other grounds shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter" / "Immunizations are not mandatory and may be refused on religious or other grounds"

I would adapt this letter instead or cross out the disagreeable bits in the state form; I would cross out anything on ANY form that implied I was harming my child:

Sample Religious Exemption Letter (change the state law reference):

Quote:
To whom it may concern;



(We / I) {First and Last name(s)}, as the {(parent (s) / guardian(s)} of ______________________(name of newborn child) are exercising (our/my) rights under the US Constitution, PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, ARTICLE 21. CONTROL OF ACUTE COMMUNICABLE DISEASES,TITLE VI. POLIOMYELITIS AND OTHER DISEASES, NY CLS Pub Health § 2164 (2002), to receive Religious Exemption from Vaccination, ALL injections, prophylaxis, & testing due to our genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practices herein required.

The U.S. Supreme Court held in Frazee V. Illinois Dept. of Security, 489 U.S. 829, that a religious belief is subject to protection even though no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not advocate or require such belief. This ruling is also reflected in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part 1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.


Sincerely,

Your signature.
Date

[Turquesa]

nak. thanks! i'm left to wonder why this "official" looking form exists. i wonder if they try to convince parents that they :"have" to sign it. some of the information on it is inflammatorily false, e.g. that my 2-yr-old child may infect her classmates with hep b.

[AnalogWife]

Whoa, I'm glad I read this before I got pressured into signing some bully cr@p like that form! Thanks for asking, OP!