Relating to an exemption from certain immunization requirements for medical and veterinary students.
SB 2119 would allow medical and veterinary students in Texas to seek exemptions from certain immunization requirements for enrollment or course participation. Students could provide either a signed affidavit stating they decline immunizations for conscience or religious reasons (using a specific form) or a physician's certificate stating immunizations would harm their health. These documents must be submitted to the school's admitting official within 90 days of notarization. The bill specifically applies to students in accredited medical schools or veterinary medicine programs, not general student populations.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 10, 2025
Last action May 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
5 edits
·
May 6, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends the Texas Health and Safety Code to create a new immunization exemption for medical and veterinary students based on conscience or medical reasons. The changes add a new affidavit option for medical students and introduce a physician certification option for students who cannot receive immunizations due to health concerns.
Scope change
The bill expands immunization exemption options specifically for students enrolled in medical schools or schools of veterinary medicine, adding a new Section 161.0053 to the Health and Safety Code.
ELIGIBILITY
Added a new affidavit option for medical students to claim conscience-based immunization exemptions
Added a physician certification option allowing students to claim exemptions if immunization would be injurious to their health
REQUIREMENT
Modified submission requirements to include both affidavits and physician certificates, with notarization deadlines
ENFORCEMENT
Added protection preventing exclusion of unimmunized students during public health emergencies
DEFINITION
Added specific definitions for medical school and school of veterinary medicine within the new exemption section
Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2025
How they voted
19–11
Passed
Total votes 30
May 6, 2025
D
Democratic10
100% Nay
R
Republican20
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
26
Key actions
6
Committee
7
May 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Health
lower
May 8, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 7, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health & Human Services
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kevin Sparks
RRepublican
Co
Bob Hall
RRepublican
Co
Bryan Hughes
RRepublican
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