HB950: HB950 Education; provide information regarding immunization requirements and exemptions from such requirements to parents and guardians; require schools and child care facilities

Georgia law already requires most students to be immunized before attending school or a licensed child care facility (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771), though the law allows parents to opt out through a signed affidavit for religious or medical reasons. Currently the law does not specifically require schools to explain the exemption process to parents. This bill adds a new subsection to that law requiring every school and child care facility to give parents and guardians information about which immunizations are required by the Department of Public Health, as well as information about exemptions from those requirements. The bill specifies that exemption information must be presented in the same format and manner as the immunization requirement information, and must explain how parents can complete the exemption affidavit already allowed under the law. The change would take effect July 1, 2026, and apply starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

• Adds a new subsection to Georgia's student immunization law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771) requiring schools and child care facilities to inform parents about required immunizations.
• Requires the same schools and facilities to also provide information about exemptions from immunization requirements.
• Mandates that exemption information be given in the same manner and format as the immunization requirement information, so one is not more prominent than the other.
• Requires the information to explain how parents and guardians can complete the exemption affidavit already provided for under subsection (e) of the law.
• Sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, applying starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Public and private schools and licensed child care facilities in Georgia, which must prepare and distribute the new information; and parents and guardians of students, who would receive clearer information about both immunization requirements and how to seek exemptions.

Parents would get standardized, side-by-side information about vaccine requirements and how to opt out through the existing exemption affidavit, which could make it easier for families to understand their options and could affect how many students seek exemptions at Georgia schools and child care centers.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771 by adding subsection (i), requiring schools and child care facilities to give parents information on required immunizations and on exemptions.
• Section 1 requires exemption information to be presented in the same manner and format as immunization requirement information, and to explain how to complete the exemption affidavit under subsection (e).
• Section 2 sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, applying beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-01-15House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-01-14House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-13House Hopper (House)

• Noelle Kahaian (R, HD-081)Primary sponsor
• Emory Dunahoo (R, HD-031)
• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)
• Charlice Byrd (R, HD-020)
• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)

• school immunizations
• vaccine exemptions
• child care regulations
• public health
• education law