ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                                Ch. 178

(b) (1) Unless the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene declares an
emergency or an epidemic of disease, a child whose parent or guardian objects to
immunization on the ground that it conflicts with the parent's or guardian's bona fide
religious beliefs and practices may not be required to present a physician's
certification of immunization in order to be admitted to school.

(2) The Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene shall adopt rules and
regulations for religious exemptions under this subsection.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland
read as follows:

Article - Education

7-403.

(a) (1) In cooperation with the State Board and the -{Medical and
Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland] MARYLAND STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY, the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shall adopt rules and regulations
regarding [the immunizations and] blood tests for lead poisoning required of children
entering schools.

(2)     IN COOPERATION WITH THE STATE BOARD AND THE MEDICAL AND
CHIRURGICAL FACULTY OF MARYLAND, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL
HYGIENE SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING IMMUNIZATIONS
REQUIRED OF CHILDREN ENTERING SCHOOLS.

(3)      These rules and regulations shall:

(i) Be adopted in compliance with the Administrative Procedure
Act;

(ii) Provide that any child may have the immunization
administered by his personal physician; and

(iii) 1. By September 2003, in areas designated as at risk for lead
poisoning, as determined under § 18-106 of the Health - General Article, when a
child enters a public prekindergarten program, kindergarten program, or first grade,
require the parent or legal guardian of the child to provide [evidence of the results of
the child's] DOCUMENTATION FROM A PHYSICIAN HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, ON A
FORM DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE,
CERTIFYING THAT THE CHILD HAS UNDERGONE blood [tests] TESTING for lead
poisoning administered in accordance with the guidelines of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in the screening of young children for lead poisoning:
Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials (November 1997) and any
subsequent guidelines; and

2. By September 2003, require a program or school to report
[the information received under sub-subparagraph 1 of this subparagraph] THE
NAME, LAST KNOWN ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF EACH CHILD FOR
WHOM PHYSICIAN CERTIFIED CERTIFIED DOCUMENTATION OF A LEAD TEST IS NOT

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