SB 1377: Immunizations: medical exemptions.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)Existing law prohibits the governing authority of a school or other institution from unconditionally admitting any person as a pupil unless, before the person’s admission to that institution, the person has been fully immunized against various diseases, including any disease deemed appropriate by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law provides for medical exemptions from immunization requirements.

Existing law requires the department to develop and make available for use by licensed physicians and surgeons an electronic, standardized, statewide medical exemption certification form to be transmitted directly to the department’s California Immunization Registry (CAIR) and submitted directly to the school or institution at which the child will attend, submitted directly to the governing authority of the school or institution, or submitted to that governing authority through the CAIR where applicable. Existing law requires the form to be the only documentation of a medical exemption that the governing authority may accept. Existing law requires the department to identify medical exemption forms that do not meet specified criteria for appropriate medical exemptions. Existing law requires inappropriate or otherwise invalid exemptions to be reviewed by the State Public Health Officer or a physician and surgeon, and authorizes the revocation of the medical exemption. Existing law requires the department to notify the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, as appropriate, of any physician and surgeon who has 5 or more medical exemption forms in a calendar year that are revoked. Existing law authorizes the appeal of a revoked medical exemption by a parent or guardian, as specified.

This bill would repeal these provisions.

Existing law, prior to January 1, 2021, exempts a child from immunization requirements if the parent or guardian files with the governing authority a written statement by a licensed physician and surgeon to the effect that the physical condition of the child is such, or medical circumstances relating to the child are such, that immunization is not considered safe, indicating the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstances for which the physician and surgeon does not recommend immunization.

This bill would exempt a child from immunization requirements if the parent or guardian files with the governing authority a written statement, as described above. The bill would prohibit the department, a local health department, or a third-party review panel from revoking, invalidating, or conditioning a medical exemption duly issued by a licensed physician and surgeon, except by final order of a court upon clear and convincing evidence of fraud. The bill would prohibit the department and local health departments from auditing, disciplining, or referring a physician and surgeon to the Medical Board of California or Osteopathic Medical Board of California based solely on the number of medical exemptions issued.

(2)Existing law establishes the Medical Board of California and the Osteopathic Medical Board of California for the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons and osteopathic physicians and surgeons. Existing law authorizes the boards to, among other things, investigate and discipline licensees for misconduct.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 16, 2026April 15 set for first hearing. Failed passage in committee. (Ayes 3. Noes 4. Page 3902.)
2. April 9, 2026Set for hearing April 15.
3. April 8, 2026Re-referred to Coms. on HEALTH and B. P. & E.D.
4. March 25, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
5. March 4, 2026Referred to Com. on RLS.
6. February 23, 2026Read first time.
7. February 23, 2026From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
8. February 20, 2026Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.