Could someone explain me the meaning of this vacc law?

[BellaClaudia]

"a child whose parent objects to immunization on the ground that it conflicts with the parent's bona fide religious beliefs and practices may not be required to present a physician's certification of immunization in order to be admitted to school"


We are looking into applying for a waiver and we don't quite understand the
mneaning of the statement above - specifically the wording:

"MAY NOT BE REQURIED"

Could anyone help us to interpret this? what the "May not" mean?
Does it mean that we might or might not be required or does it mean
that we won't be required..

As in.. could we potentially be in a situation where we apply for Public school and believe that we are eligible to extempt our child from vacc. while
in reality they May refuse the waiver reqest?

Thanks.

[eclipse]

I'm pretty sure that by using the term "may" they are specifically preventing anyone from requiring vaccination in this situation. I think I remember that the term "may" in law is used as "shall" or "must" - or in this case, shall or must not. I'm not sure that using "may" in place of "might" is technically proper English (although it's obviously used that was frequently).

[2boyzmama]

When I worked in Government Contract Law, "shall" was a hefty word. Shall means "must" in law-speak.

I *think* that "may"="shall", but you can look it up to be sure. You can probably also call any local lawyer and ask them.

[Emmeline II]

This is what I found on the Maryland gov site:
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/Sub...rch=10.06.04.*

.05 Religious Exemption.
A. Using the form provided by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, a student whose parent or guardian objects to immunization on the ground that the immunization conflicts with the parent's or guardian's bona fide religious beliefs and practices is exempt from the requirement to present a physician's certificate of immunization in order that the student be admitted to school.
B. The exemption allowed under §A of this regulation does not apply when the Secretary declares an emergency or epidemic of disease.
C. A preschool or school, public or private, shall maintain a current list of all students enrolled who have an exemption to immunizations on religious grounds.
D. Annually, by November 15th, a preschool or school, public or private, shall report to the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene the number of students with a religious exemption enrolled in all grades.

And then
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org...nnotated_code/
http://www.exemptmychild.com/media//DIR_27501/Maryland$20Vaccine$20Exemption$20Laws.pdf

(b) Exception. -

(1) Unless the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene declares an emergency or an epidemic of disease, a child whose parent or guardian objects to immunization on the ground that it conflicts with the parent's or guardian's bona fide religious beliefs and practices may not be required to present a physician's certification of immunization in order to be admitted to school.

I would not be concerned about this language; it seems to me that the only condition is that there is not a declared epidemic. In Maryland you just sign the religious exemption on the Immunization Certificate Immunization Form (DHMH 896).