SENATE BILL 244

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Steve Komadina

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; PROVIDING FOR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF FEMALE STUDENTS TO RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CERVICAL CANCER AND THE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE;

PROVIDING FOR THE HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE FOR SCHOOL ENTRY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 24, Article 5 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE--EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION--AVAILABILITY.--

          A. On or after July 1, 2009, the parent or guardian of a female student who is nine to fourteen years of age prior to her admission to a public or private school shall be given educational information about the link between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer and the availability of the human papillomavirus vaccine.

          B. After the parent or guardian receives the information described in Subsection A of this section,

a female student entering the sixth grade shall not be admitted to any private or public school until the student submits to the school written evidence that she has been vaccinated for human papillomavirus or submits notice that her parent or guardian has elected for her not to receive the vaccine.

          C. By January 1, 2009, the public health division of the department of health, after consultation with the public education department, shall prescribe the content and means of distribution of the information required by Subsection A of this section and the appropriate form of evidence or notice required by Subsection B of this section."

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 to defray the costs of prescribing the content and means of distribution of educational information to be given to the parent or guardian of female students nine to fourteen years of age regarding cervical cancer and the availability of the human papillomavirus vaccine. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2010 shall revert to the general fund.