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Amend the bill by striking out all of sections 1 and 2 (page 1, lines 2 to 24 in L.D.) and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §6355, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2001, c. 326, §2, is further amended to read:
 
3. Philosophical or religious exemption.   The parent states in writing a sincere religious belief that is contrary to the immunization requirement of this subchapter or an opposition to the immunization for philosophical reasons. The parent seeking a philosophical exemption must include with the statement written documentation signed by a health care practitioner authorized to prescribe and administer immunizations verifying that the health care practitioner has reviewed with the parent information about the risks and benefits of immunization that is consistent with information published by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The written documentation must be signed by the health care practitioner authorized to prescribe and administer immunizations prior to the enrollment of the child in a school.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §6359, sub-§3, ¶B, as amended by PL 2001, c. 326, §6, is further amended to read:
 
B.  The student or the parent, if the student is a minor, states in writing a sincere religious belief, whichthat is contrary to the immunization requirement of this subchapter or an opposition to the immunization for philosophical reasons. The parent seeking a philosophical exemption must include with the statement written documentation signed by a health care practitioner authorized to prescribe and administer immunizations verifying that the health care practitioner has reviewed with the parent information about the risks and benefits of immunization that is consistent with information published by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The written documentation must be signed by the health care practitioner authorized to prescribe and administer immunizations prior to the enrollment of the child in a school.’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment specifies that a health care practitioner who signs the written documentation verifying that the health care practitioner has reviewed with the parent the risks and benefits of immunization must be authorized to prescribe and administer immunizations.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)