WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2025 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 556

By Senators Tarr and Chapman

[Introduced February 20, 2025; referred
to the Committee on Health and Human Resources]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §49-2-127b, relating to immunizations; prohibiting the requirement of certain immunizations as condition of being a foster parent; and providing an exception.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILDREN.

§49‑2‑127b. Immunization not a condition of overseeing child in foster care – Exceptions.

The Department of Human Services and the Department of Health Services shall not require an individual or members of the individual's household to undergo an immunization as a condition of overseeing a child in foster care under this chapter unless the child has a medically verified immunosuppressive disease diagnosis that requires exceptional prevention measures that would necessitate the caregiver or members of the caregiver's household be immunized. If a child has a medically verified immunosuppressive disease diagnosis that requires exceptional prevention measures, the department shall require each individual in the household to have up-to-date recommended immunizations as established in rule by the department.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the requirement of certain immunizations as condition of being a foster parent and provide an exception.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.