Section 665.510  Objection of Parent or Legal Guardian

Parent or legal guardian of a student may object to health examinations, immunizations, vision and hearing screening tests, and dental health examinations for their children on religious grounds.  If a religious objection is made, a written and signed statement from the parent or legal guardian detailing such objections must be presented to the local school authority.  The objection must set forth the specific religious belief which conflicts with the examination, immunization or other medical intervention. The religious objection may be personal and need not be directed by the tenets of an established religious organization.  General philosophical or moral reluctance to allow physical examinations, immunizations, vision and hearing screening, and dental examinations will not provide a sufficient basis for an exception to statutory requirements.  The local school authority is responsible for determining whether the written statement constitutes a valid religious objection.   The parent or legal guardian must be informed by the local school authority of measles outbreak control exclusion procedures in accordance with the Department's rules, Control of Communicable Diseases Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 690) at the time such objection is presented.

(Source:  Amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 11950, effective August 15, 1996)