October 01, 2013
Also signs three other bills
October 1, 2013Gov. Rick Snyder today signed legislation updating the grade at which Michigan students must submit a certificate of immunization to schools. The new laws now require students to submit the certificate upon entering seventh grade instead of sixth grade.
The change will better accommodate the age at which most students receive vaccinations and will allow school districts more time to alert parents about needing vaccinations, as well as for parents and health care providers to schedule them.
In 2010, vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis and Meningococcal vaccines were added to the existing Michigan school rules and required for all students entering sixth grade if they were at least 11 years of age at the time they entered sixth grade. However, some sixth grade students enter the program at 10 years of age, before the vaccines are routinely recommended. Since vaccine reporting is done at the beginning of the school year and sorted by grade level, it has proved difficult for schools to keep track of students who enter the program at 10 years of age and those who enter at 11.
“This change will help ensure students are properly vaccinated by giving schools more time to notify parents, and families and health care providers more flexibility to schedule vaccination appointments,” Snyder said.
Senate Bills 237, 238 and 239 amend the Public Health Code, the Revised School Code, and the State School Aid Act, respectively, requiring the submission of a certificate of immunization upon enrolling in seventh grade.
SB 237, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Marleau is now Public Act 120 of 2013; SB 238, sponsored by state Sen. Rebekah Warren is now PA 121; and SB 239, sponsored by state Sen. Judy Emmons is now PA 122.
The governor also signed three other bills.
SB 357, sponsored by state Sen. John Pappageorge, revises the definition of an "interested shareholder" to exclude a person who acquired voting shares from a corporation or in a public offering by or on behalf of the corporation. It addresses a problem that may be encountered by a shareholder who does not wish to be subject to requirements in Chapter 7A. It is now PA 123.
House Bill 4525, sponsored by state Rep. Joe Graves, revises sentencing guidelines to authorize more severe penalties for arson and other recently established crimes. It is now PA 124.
HB 4732, sponsored by state Rep. Greg MacMaster, exempts qualifying roadside stands from plumbing and electricity requirements. It is now PA 125.
For more information on these bills, visit legislature.michigan.gov.
