House Bill 497

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REPEALER ON THE REQUIREMENT THAT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS PROVIDE PARENTS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-11-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-11-61. (1) Local school boards shall ensure that all public schools and agricultural high schools provide parents and guardians with information about meningococcal disease and the effectiveness of vaccination against meningococcal disease. Such information may be provided through the school district Web site, student handbook or other appropriate means of dissemination of information. Such information shall be updated annually if new information on such disease is available. This information shall include the causes, symptoms and means by which meningococcal disease is spread and the places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a local school board or school to provide or purchase vaccine against meningococcal disease.

(2) The State Board of Health shall develop and make available educational materials appropriate for distribution so that the information required by this section can be provided to parents and guardians. The Department of Health may provide this information, at its discretion, electronically, on its Web site. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the Department of Health to provide or purchase vaccine against meningococcal disease.

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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.