On April 28, 2021, Governor Lamont signed into law House Bill 6423, An Act Concerning Immunizations, which took effect the same day.  The new law modifies an existing law, Section 10-204a of the Connecticut General Statutes, which had allowed students enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade to be exempt from statutory immunization requirements based on religious beliefs.  In signing this law, Connecticut joins a handful of other states that no longer permit a religious exemption to mandatory vaccination requirements for day cares, schools, or colleges.

Previously, Section 10-204a had permitted religious exemptions from school immunization requirements if the parents or guardian of a child presented a statement to the public or nonpublic school that immunizations would be contrary to the religious beliefs of the child or the child’s parents or guardian.  Under the new law, parents are no longer permitted to submit such statement and claim a religious exemption, although certain students with existing religious exemptions will be allowed to continue to use their religious exemption if the child was enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade on or before April 28, 2021 and had a legally recognized religious exemption already on file.  Children who, before April 28, 2021, are enrolled in a preschool or other prekindergarten program and had a legally recognized religious exemption on file will be expected to comply with mandatory immunization requirements by the later of September 1, 2022 or fourteen days after transferring to a public or nonpublic school, although they may be permitted to follow an alternative vaccination schedule if supported by a medical recommendation.  The new law still permits medical exemptions from certain immunizations in the event a particular immunization is medically contraindicated because of the physical condition of the child, provided certain conditions are satisfied.

In short, under the new law, students attending public and nonpublic schools in Connecticut are no longer permitted to use a religious exemption unless they have met the conditions of the new law’s “grandfather” clause.  The “grandfather” clause permits the following students to continue using a religious exemption:

  • Any child who is enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade on or before April 28, 2021 and whose parents or guardian had presented a religious exemption before April 28, 2021.
  • Any child who transfers to a school in Connecticut, provided that (i) the child was enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade in another Connecticut school on or before April 28, 2021, and (ii) the child’s parents or guardian had presented a religious exemption to the other school or the new school before April 28, 2021.
  • Any child who, before April 28, 2021, is enrolled in a preschool program or other prekindergarten program and who had presented a religious exemption, and who did not present a written declaration from a physician, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse stating that additional immunizations are in process as recommended by such professionals rather than as recommended under guidelines and schedules specified by the Commissioner of Public Health, but only until the later of September 1, 2022 or fourteen days after transferring to a public or nonpublic school.

In light of the significant changes to the existing exemption framework, Connecticut schools should be prepared to field questions from parents and guardians about a variety of issues regarding the interpretation and application of the new law.  Such issues may include, for example, whether students who registered for kindergarten on or before April 28, 2021, but who are not yet attending kindergarten, may use a religious exemption, and whether students who took a year off from school during COVID-19 but who had previously been enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade with a religious exemption on file may continue using the exemption when they re-enroll.  Further guidance from the state, state agencies, and/or the legislature regarding the new law may inform the analysis of these and other important issues. In the meantime, please contact Jessica Richman Smith at jsmith@goodwin.com; Julie Fay at jfay@goodwin.com; Dori Pagé Antonetti at dantonetti@goodwin.com, or Sarah Gleason at sgleason@goodwin.com with any questions about the new law.

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Photo of Julie C. Fay Julie C. Fay

Julie is co-chair of Shipman’s Education Department, and a partner in the School Law Practice group, where she represents public and independent schools in a variety of special education and general education law matters, with a particular focus on issues relating to students…

Julie is co-chair of Shipman’s Education Department, and a partner in the School Law Practice group, where she represents public and independent schools in a variety of special education and general education law matters, with a particular focus on issues relating to students with disabilities, student discipline, confidentiality, school governance and policy. Julie frequently represents schools in administrative hearings, including expulsion hearings, special education due process hearings and related proceedings, and is often called upon to guide districts in drafting policies and administrative procedures in all education law areas. As part of her practice, Julie has conducted numerous professional development workshops for clients and other school organizations.

Photo of Jessica Richman Smith Jessica Richman Smith

Jessica represents schools in a variety of education, labor relations and employment law matters.  She negotiates certified and non-certified collective bargaining agreements on behalf of numerous public boards of education.  Jessica also represents school districts in labor and employment disputes, freedom of information…

Jessica represents schools in a variety of education, labor relations and employment law matters.  She negotiates certified and non-certified collective bargaining agreements on behalf of numerous public boards of education.  Jessica also represents school districts in labor and employment disputes, freedom of information hearings, teacher tenure proceedings, student disciplinary matters, election law matters, and other legal proceedings arising in the education context.  In addition, Jessica advises schools on education policies and practices, compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, and other legal matters arising in the education context.

Photo of Dori Pagé Antonetti Dori Pagé Antonetti

Dori Pagé Antonetti is a member of the School Law Practice Group where she represents a wide range of educational institutions, including both public and independent k-12 schools in a variety of education and employment law matters.  In her day-to-day representation of clients…

Dori Pagé Antonetti is a member of the School Law Practice Group where she represents a wide range of educational institutions, including both public and independent k-12 schools in a variety of education and employment law matters.  In her day-to-day representation of clients, Dori draws on her unique experience as a former educator for Teach for America.  This experience, coupled with her time as a hearing review officer for the New York City Office of Labor Relations, allows Dori to analyze issues from a practical perspective, which brings significant advantages to her clients.

Most recently, Dori’s practice has focused on assisting school districts and independent schools with various aspects of COVID-19 pandemic response and preparedness and return-to-school planning.  Dori has provided guidance on the requirements and implementation of ever-evolving federal and state laws and guidelines in various areas, such as employee leave, vaccine mandates, mask rules, health and safety protocols, telehealth, and sports-related issues.

Dori is a thoughtful attorney who has astute peripheral vision which allows her to help school clients identify legal issues and develop creative solutions.  She is attentive to detail, careful, and thorough.  Dori has extensive experience in policy development and review, and enjoys helping clients ensure that their policies and regulations are legally compliant, clearly written, and accomplish their intended purpose.  She also regularly advises schools on their obligations and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.  For independent school clients, Dori has extensive experience drafting and revising enrollment contracts, faculty/staff handbooks, employment contracts and advising on issues such as truth-in-lending obligations, federal funding, vaccine policies and exemption issues.

Photo of Sarah Gleason Sarah Gleason

Sarah Gleason is a member of the firm’s School Law Practice Group, where she advises public school districts on a variety of general education, special education and labor and employment issues.  Prior to receiving her J.D., Sarah worked as an elementary school teacher…

Sarah Gleason is a member of the firm’s School Law Practice Group, where she advises public school districts on a variety of general education, special education and labor and employment issues.  Prior to receiving her J.D., Sarah worked as an elementary school teacher, and she brings that unique perspective to her practice as a school law attorney.