Prohibited Punitive Action For Failure To Immunize

Sec. 526.0505. PROHIBITED PUNITIVE ACTION FOR FAILURE TO IMMUNIZE. (a) In this section: (1) "Person responsible for a child's care, custody, or welfare" has the meaning assigned by Section 261.001, Family Code. (2) "Punitive action" includes initiating an investigation of a person responsible for a child's care, custody, or welfare for alleged or suspected abuse or neglect of a child. (b) The executive commissioner by rule shall prohibit a health and human services agency from taking a punitive action against a person responsible for a child's care, custody, or welfare for the person's failure to ensure that the child receives the immunization series prescribed by Section 161.004, Health and Safety Code. (c) This section does not affect a law, including Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, that specifically provides a punitive action for failure to ensure that a child receives the immunization series prescribed by Section 161.004, Health and Safety Code. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.