Bill Summaries: S373 (2025-2026 Session)

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  • Summary date: Mar 20 2025 - View summary

    Enacts GS 90-21.5A, concerning the treatment of minors through vaccination schedules, as follows. Prevents a health care practitioner (defined) from refusing to accept a minor as a patient in their medical practice or at a hospital solely on the basis of the minor's refusal or the minor's parent, guardian, or custodian's refusal to comply with timing or frequency of the recommended vaccination and immunization schedule as set forth in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Child Immunization Schedule. Clarifies that a refusal to be vaccinated altogether cannot be construed to supersede a requirement under GS 130A-152 (required immunizations), but that a variance in the recommended schedule or a delay is allowed. Specifies that violations of the statute constitute unprofessional conduct under each healthcare practitioner’s occupational licensing board. Effective October 1, 2025.

    Directs the NC Medical Board and Board of Nursing to adopt rules to implement the act.  Directs the Commission for Public Health to adopt rules to allow for exemptions for minors who delay the administration of an immunization or vaccination.