Indiana § 20-34-4-3 - Notification; provision of information to parents

§ 20-34-4-3. Notification; provision of information to parents

Sec. 3. (a) Each school shall notify each parent of a student who enrolls in the school of the requirement that the student must be immunized and that the immunization is required for the student's continued enrollment, attendance, or residence at the school unless:

(1) the parent or student provides the appropriate documentation of immunity; or

(2) IC 20-34-3-2 or IC 20-34-3-3 applies.

(b) A school that enrolls grade 6 students shall provide each parent of a student who is entering grade 6 with information prescribed by the Indiana department of health under subsection (c) concerning the link between cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and that an immunization against the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is available.

(c) The Indiana department of health shall provide a school described in subsection (b) with the information concerning cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection required in subsection (b). The information must include the following:

(1) The latest scientific information on the immunization against the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the immunization's effectiveness against causes of cancer.

(2) That a pap smear is still critical for the detection of precancerous changes in the cervix to allow for treatment before cervical cancer develops.

(3) Information concerning the means in which the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is contracted.

(4) A statement that any questions or concerns concerning immunizing the child against human papillomavirus (HPV) could be answered by contacting a health care provider.

(d) The Indiana department of health shall provide the department of education with material concerning immunizations and immunization preventable diseases for distribution to parents and guardians. The department of education shall provide these materials to schools to be provided to students' parents and guardians. These materials may be distributed by a school by posting the required information on the school's website.

(e) Any notification or materials provided or distributed by the Indiana department of health or a school to a parent of a student regarding required or recommended immunizations for the student must clearly delineate or label immunizations that are required and immunizations that are only recommended.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-8.1-7-9.5(e).]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.80-2007, SEC.1; P.L.208-2015, SEC.13; P.L.56-2023, SEC.191; P.L.160-2023, SEC.15.