Question about Homeschooling/Vaccinations

[thatgirliknew]

I've always heard that one way to get around the vaccination problem without claiming an exemption is to homeschool. While I was looking to see what compulsory education ages were in my state, Kentucky, I found this:

If you want to home school your child, you must notify the local superintendent of schools, in writing, that you have established a home school. You must report the names, ages and place of residence of each child being home schooled. In addition, you must keep a legal birth certificate, Kentucky certificate of immunization and a copy of a medical examination on file for each child who is home schooled.

http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Home...quirements.htm

So, if the state decided to investigate (and I say this because my son's dad just loves to call CPS over pointless things like diaper rash, etc) would I have to have an exemption on file, and who with?

[Katerz2u]

It does appear that you would need to keep the exemption on file, at home. Here is a link to the religious exemption form. It seems you just need to fill it and have it signed by a doctor or the health department. Its none of their business any details about your religion, so just repeat "It's against our religion" until they sign the form.
Religious exemption for KY

[MissRubyandKen]

I'll start by saying I don't live in Kentucky, so no personal experience. I highly recommend you try to get information locally, be it through a homeschool group, individual with personal experience, or the school. Each state is different and a been there, done that perspective is really helpful. Here's what I found, because I like to go straight to the source first, Kentucky's school law KRS 159.030 and Kentucky's immunization exemption law KRS 214.036. You can search Kentucky's laws here, for more info. Here is HSLDA's info on Kentucky. Here is NVIC's info on Kentucky regarding vaccines. It definitely sounds as the exemption must be medical or religious. If you can't find someone locally to ask, call the superintendent's office and ask them if you need to submit a immunization record and doctor examination info along with your intent to homeschool, or if you are just to keep it on file in your home school. No need to mention exemption. It will be the same info either way and there you'll have it straight from the horse's mouth. It sounds like you keep it on file at home. And I'm not seeing in the exemption law where you have to have a doc's signature on your written exemption. ??? Idk. It says specifically-

Nor shall KRS 158.035, 214.010, 214.020, 214.032 to 214.036, and 214.990 be construed to require the immunization of any child whose parents are opposed to medical immunization against disease, and who object by a written sworn statement to the immunization of such child on religious grounds.

Although proof of a medical examination should be on file as well, with a birth certificate, and the written objection. I have heard some states require written sworn statements to be notarized, but I'm not sure.