Please help with my NY exemption letter...

[bygones75]

I know there are so many of these type of posts, but you ladies are the ones to ask.

I have two different exemption letters, both good, one by Long Island (from a couple years ago) and another one I took from here some time back. But one's referencing federal law, one isn't and I'm confused. Should I just keep it to NYS law? I'm having a hard time finding the info. Can someone help me out? This is my first time going through this and I'm very nervous I'm going to mess up.

First letter from LI:

In accordance with NYS Public Health Law 2164.9, we hereby affirm that the practice of immunization is contrary to our genuine and sincerely held religious beliefs.

Our relationship with the Divine is such that our family does not rely on immunizations in order to heal or prevent disease.

Second letter (I believe Emmaline gave me this one. I apologize if that's incorrect.)

We (names), as the parents of (name), are exercising our 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.

Applicable law has been interpreted to mean 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. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended Nov. 1, 1980; Part 1605.1-Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion.

Signature
Date

My son starts nursery school next week and I need to bring the letter to the orientation. No promises they'll accept it. Any help is truly appreciated.

Thank you very much,

[mamakay]

I'd go with the one from LI. It states your relationship with god and it's opposition to vaccination.

[rootzdawta]

I don't know which one to go with (I probably would splice the two, actually) but I just wanted to wish you all the best, i.e. just an easy, smooth going getting your child into school.

[Proverbs31]

I would go with the first one, but definitely embellish because NY requires a description of your religious beliefs.

[bygones75]

Hmm... embellish how, if you don't mind my asking?

My religious belief on not vaxing is centered on Jeremiah 1:5. Is that the kind of extra description you mean?

Thanks to everyone for their input.

[13Sandals]

personally, I wouldn't embellish. If they find fault with the letter, they may request an in-person hearing, but you aren't required to attend. Instead, you can ask them to put in writing as to where they feel your religious beliefs are insufficient and you can respond to that. I would also have your letter notarized. Notarization isn't a guarantee, but it proves you are willing to go out of your way to swear to your beliefs and get a witness. good luck. I handed my notarized religious-exemption letter to our principal(when we were still using the NYC public schools) and never heard anything at all. If the principal accepts the letter, it ends there according to NYS DOE guidelines. I homeschool now though. I don't think it is a very friendly religious-exemption environment in NYC right now. Be willing to go the distance!

[Proverbs31]

See, I was advised by Gary Krasner of the exact opposite, that being too vague could result in an in-person hearing. My letter was about a page and a half long, using different passages of Scripture to support my objection.

[bygones75]

I've heard both ways. You're both right... just in different circumstances.

I'm going to go with the simple LI letter, but I'm prepared to go further if they need it. My religious beliefs are sincere. I'm confident if they're questioned.

Shouldn't be this hard, should it?

[Proverbs31]

Sigh. It shouldn't be this hard, but I guess there aren't enough of us out there to make a difference.

[spero]

I would use the first one. LI always advised me to keep things short and to the point - and to NEVER cite Scripture or specifics like aborted fetal cells in vaccines. Besides, now there is a form for NY and you really don't have to write a lengthy letter anymore - they give you about 2 lines to "explain" your beliefs.

Originally Posted by Proverbs31

I would go with the first one, but definitely embellish because NY requires a description of your religious beliefs.

I'm not sure what that means. I think they can only ask for details if they have reason to question your "sincerely held beliefs" (in itself a rather vague term).

Originally Posted by bygones75

My religious belief on not vaxing is centered on Jeremiah 1:5.

I would NOT state that.

Originally Posted by Proverbs31

Sigh. It shouldn't be this hard,

No, it shouldn't. I'm really beginning to hate the State of New York.

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by spero

No, it shouldn't. I'm really beginning to hate the State of New York.

NYS is a tough state all around--vaccination, homeschooling, etc. If it were not that we own a house here, I would be good as gone.

[Proverbs31]

Its seems that we've all had different experiences with the exemption process; I think in NY it simply comes down to who's reading your exemption letter; what's sufficient for one principal might be too vague for another. Some will accept supporting Scripute, while others will just pick apart your interpretation of Scripture. The whole system really is quite arbitrary.

[13Sandals]

The whole system really is quite arbitrary.

I agree - its really uncertain. I would still get whatever you go with notarized and hope for the best. And like I said in my last post - just be willing to go the distance.

[bygones75]

Originally Posted by spero

Besides, now there is a form for NY and you really don't have to write a lengthy letter anymore - they give you about 2 lines to "explain" your beliefs.

Is thst a form I need to submit with my letter? If so, where do I obtain it?

Thanks.

[13Sandals]

bygones - you can use this form:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/Health...munization.htm

again, this is the 'recommended' form from the NY State DOE and should apply to NYC....however, as others have pointed out, depending on who this form is submitted to, they can accept or ask for more info...This is the form I used, you can see there is a portion for a notary to fill out.

I also handed the principal a copy of the NYS guidelines for accepting religious exemptions found here: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/Health...procedures.htm

[quarteralien]

Originally Posted by bygones75

[I]We (names), as the parents of (name), are exercising our 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.

Somewhat off topic, but does anyone know if Synagis would fall under the category of exemption based on the above definition? It's not a vaccine, but it could be called a prophylaxis. I'm thinking of having my preemie receive Synagis this winter, but would that affect the exemption next year for my older son?

[bygones75]

Originally Posted by 13Sandals

bygones - you can use this form:

Thanks so much. I'm assuming this takes the place of the letter. I did talk to the asst director of the nursery school the other day. She said they require a signed letter. I was surprised how nonchalant she seemed about it. *shrugs* This was before you gave me the info on the form. Maybe I'll have both ready and just feel it out on Thursday when I go in. Thanks again for your help.

Suz

[spero]

Apparently, the form is not a standardized requirement in NYS. Some schools and daycares still require a letter. In any case, I still suggest keeping it short and to the point.

In submitting forms for my DS and DD this year, I just shortened my (already short) letter used for my DD's exemption several years back, and attached that to the form as my "explanation of beliefs".