What Is Required To Start School?
New Hampshire law requires the school to collect a recent physical and list of immunizations prior to starting school. Every year the state updates the list of immunization requirements on its website.
Here are some laws that back this up:
RSA 200:38 Control and Prevention of Communicable Diseases; Duties of School Nurse states –
I. Each school nurse shall ensure that:
(a) All children shall be immunized prior to school entrance in accordance with RSA 141-C:20-a.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) All children shall have a complete physical examination prior to school entrance in accordance with RSA 200:32.
II. If the provisions of paragraph I are not met, each school nurse shall be responsible for informing school administrators of the noncompliance and for assisting with meeting such requirements, unless the child is exempted under RSA 141-C:20-c.
RSA 200:32 Physical Examination of Pupils states –
There shall be a complete physical examination by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse of each child prior to or upon first entry into the public school system and thereafter as often as deemed necessary by the local school authority. The result of the child's physical examination shall be presented to the local school officials on a form provided by the local school authorities. No physical examination shall be required of a child whose parent or guardian objects thereto in writing on the grounds that such physical examination is contrary to the child's religious tenets and teachings.
According to Ed 311.01 School Immunization Program:
(a) A parent or legal guardian shall have a child immunized against certain diseases as determined in rules He-P 301.14, Immunization Requirements, adopted by the commissioner of the department of health and human services.
(b) A child shall be exempt from immunization in accordance with RSA 141-C:20-c.
(c) A child who is exempt from immunization in accordance with (b) shall not attend school during an outbreak of a communicable disease for which immunization is required under RSA 141-C:20-a.
(d) If a child is not immunized as in Ed 311.01(a), does not have a religious or medical exemption, or is unable to provide evidence of acceptable immunization for conditional enrollment, he/she shall not be admitted to school.
According to Ed 311.03 Physical Examination of Students:
Schools shall accept documentation of a student's physical examination, provided:
(a) The examination has been performed within the past year; or
(b) If an examination has not been performed within the past year, the school shall accept documentation of an appointment for a physical examination with a licensed physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner or physician's assistant within a time determined by the school district for conditional enrollment.
RSA 141-C:20-a Immunization states–
I. All parents or legal guardians shall have their children who are residing in this state immunized against certain diseases. These diseases shall include, but not be limited to, diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, rubeola, and tetanus. The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to other diseases which require immunization.
II. No child shall be admitted or enrolled in any school or child care agency, public or private, unless the following is demonstrated:
(a) Immunization under paragraph I;
(b) Partial immunization relative to the age of the child as specified in rules adopted by the commissioner; or
(c) Exemption under RSA 141-C:20-c.
RSA 141-C:20-c Exemptions states–
A child shall be exempt from immunization if:
I. A physician licensed under RSA 329, or a physician exempted under RSA 329:21, III, certifies that immunization against a particular disease may be detrimental to the child's health. The exemption shall exist only for the length of time, in the opinion of the physician, such immunization would be detrimental to the child. An exemption from immunization for one disease shall not affect other required immunizations.
II. A parent or legal guardian objects to immunization because of religious beliefs. The parent or legal guardian shall sign a notarized form stating that the child has not been immunized because of religious beliefs.
