Immunization registry.

Existing law authorizes local health officers and the State Department of Public health to operate immunization information systems. Existing law, except as provided, authorizes health care providers and other agencies, including, among others, schools, childcare facilities, family childcare homes, and county human services agencies, to disclose specified immunization information with local health departments and the State Department of Public Health, and authorizes local health departments and the department to disclose that same information to each other and to health care providers, schools, childcare facilities, family childcare homes, and county human services agencies, among others, as specified. Existing law specifies the immunization, patient, or client information that may be disclosed, which includes, among other things, patient or client demographic information, immunization data, adverse reactions to the immunization, or other information needed to identify the patient or client or to comply with other laws. This bill would instead require health care providers and other agencies, including schools, childcare facilities, family childcare homes, and county human services agencies to disclose the specified immunization information, and would add the patient's or client's race and ethnicity to the list of information that shall or may be disclosed. By imposing new duties on schools and county human services agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires schools, childcare facilities, family childcare homes, and county human services agencies to maintain the confidentiality of the specified immunization information and to only use the information for specified purposes, including to carry out their responsibilities regarding required immunization for attendance or participation benefits, or both. This bill would, until January 1, 2026, additionally authorize schools, childcare facilities, family childcare homes, and county human services agencies to use the specified immunization information, for the COVID-19 public health emergency, to perform immunization status assessments of pupils, adults, and clients to ensure health and safety. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.