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Uncomfortable with the wording on Maryland's religious objection.

post #1 of 15
4/8/09 at 9:37am
Thread Starter 
It says "I am the parent/guardian of the child identified above. Because of my bona fide religious beliefs and practices, I object to any immunizations being given to my child. This exemption does not apply during an emergency or epidemic disease."

Like Heck it doesn't!!! Can I write my own? I think that's just utter crap. My bona fide religious beliefs are not going to change 'in case of emergency'.
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post #2 of 15
4/8/09 at 10:49am
That's bull-trash!!! Are we in a communist country or something!!! No good advice, maybe mark that part out? That would make me angry though. I don't like the wording on the exemption form in my state either.
post #3 of 15
4/8/09 at 5:59pm
I think it's the _exemption_ that does not apply, not your reasons for filing an exemption.

The exemption is what allows your child to attend school/daycare/whatever without receiving the otherwise "required" vaccinations. They're saying that that's fine, your kiddo (or yourself, depending on your employment situation) can attend because you've filed this exemption, but if there's an emergency or an epidemic, you/your child are NOT going to be able to attend.

Make sense?
post #4 of 15
4/8/09 at 7:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TanyaLopez View Post
I think it's the _exemption_ that does not apply, not your reasons for filing an exemption.

The exemption is what allows your child to attend school/daycare/whatever without receiving the otherwise "required" vaccinations. They're saying that that's fine, your kiddo (or yourself, depending on your employment situation) can attend because you've filed this exemption, but if there's an emergency or an epidemic, you/your child are NOT going to be able to attend.

Make sense?
That's the impression I am under as well. But, I would double-check before signing it. You don't want dc to come home with a vax because 2 kids at the school got some VPD that they decided qualified as an outbreak.
post #5 of 15
4/9/09 at 9:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ammiga View Post
That's the impression I am under as well. But, I would double-check before signing it. You don't want dc to come home with a vax because 2 kids at the school got some VPD that they decided qualified as an outbreak.
I'm going to have a long talk with the school and the school nurse when I go to register DS. I would be absolutely in the red LIVID if someone came near my son with a needle. I'm hoping the PP is correct in it meaning that I'd just have to keep him home in case of an outbreak. Although, chicken pox is on the required vaccine list here... so I may have him lick a few kids on his way out .
post #6 of 15
4/9/09 at 10:44am
The DHMH 896 form that was revised 12/05 doesn't include that last bit. If you'd like me to mail you a copy of that one, feel free to PM me with your snail mail address and I'll send one out. If you're in or near A.A. Co, you can pick it up in person.
post #7 of 15
4/9/09 at 10:55am
Google "DHMH 896 rev. 12/5 immunization" without the quotes to find the form without the extra wording. I found it under the "back-to-school forms" result, third down. That may help if you have a working printer.
post #8 of 15
4/9/09 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lotusdebi View Post
Google "DHMH 896 rev. 12/5 immunization" without the quotes to find the form without the extra wording. I found it under the "back-to-school forms" result, third down. That may help if you have a working printer.
Thank you! As soon as I printed it out DH called and said our PCS orders were moved up to JUNE! So looks like i don't need to worry about it anyway. He'll be attending Kindergarten in Japan! :
post #9 of 15
4/9/09 at 2:28pm
post #10 of 15
4/9/09 at 4:10pm
it is my understanding (and I read the language a LONG time ago) that in FL, in an emergancy sitch/epidemic, the state government can FORCE you to vaccinate.

Maybe there is some statues in Maryland that are similar?
post #11 of 15
4/9/09 at 4:13pm
However, the Florida legislature approved the original more coercive version - of the MSEHPA (Model State Emergency Health Powers Act) and Governor Jeb Bush signed it into law. Florida Statute 381.00315 (1)(b)4, gives an unelected public health official the power to force vaccination in certain circumstances with "any means necessary" (including the use of armed law enforcement officers). Even though the statutory language provides for a quarantine option for those who do not want to be vaccinated for health, religious of conscience reasons, the Florida statue also stipulates that during a Public Health Emergency, an unelected public health official may decide quarantine is not feasible and then force vaccination for communicable diseases with significant morbidity or mortality that also present a severe danger to public health. On its face, the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act ("FRFRA") recognizes greater protection than the United States Constitution for free exercise of religion in the face of government actions to the contrary. However, it is questionable whether during a Public Health Emergency, an individual could practically obtain the judicial relief provided for by FRFRA in time to hold the public health officers and law enforcement officers at bay.


http://www.know-vaccines.org/exemptionFAQ.html
post #12 of 15
4/9/09 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cersha View Post
However, the Florida legislature approved the original more coercive version - of the MSEHPA (Model State Emergency Health Powers Act) and Governor Jeb Bush signed it into law. Florida Statute 381.00315 (1)(b)4, gives an unelected public health official the power to force vaccination in certain circumstances with "any means necessary" (including the use of armed law enforcement officers). Even though the statutory language provides for a quarantine option for those who do not want to be vaccinated for health, religious of conscience reasons, the Florida statue also stipulates that during a Public Health Emergency, an unelected public health official may decide quarantine is not feasible and then force vaccination for communicable diseases with significant morbidity or mortality that also present a severe danger to public health. On its face, the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act ("FRFRA") recognizes greater protection than the United States Constitution for free exercise of religion in the face of government actions to the contrary. However, it is questionable whether during a Public Health Emergency, an individual could practically obtain the judicial relief provided for by FRFRA in time to hold the public health officers and law enforcement officers at bay.


http://www.know-vaccines.org/exemptionFAQ.html
That is unbelievably horrid!!!! I don't think I'll EVER let DH take orders to Florida. I thought this was a free country!
post #13 of 15
4/9/09 at 4:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Valrock View Post
That is unbelievably horrid!!!! I don't think I'll EVER let DH take orders to Florida. I thought this was a free country!
Hasn't been a fee country for a few generations now.
post #14 of 15
4/9/09 at 4:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by moondiapers View Post
Hasn't been a fee country for a few generations now.
Isn't that the truth... I should have said "Isn't this supposed to be a free country".
post #15 of 15
4/12/09 at 12:24am
I believe that you can write your own exemption.
You may want to try the MDCVC on Yahoo. It is a group of Marylanders that are for vaccine choice and trying to pass a bill for philosophical exemption. Someone on there may have some experience with this in MD specifically.

Good Luck!
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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Health › Vaccinations › I'm Not Vaccinating › Uncomfortable with the wording on Maryland's religious objection.