SECTION 340:10-14-1. Immunizations

(a)   Scope. Sections 230.52, 230.56, and 230.65 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes and Section 608 of Title 42 of the United States Code address Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients' responsibility to immunize their children. Immunization of minor children two months of age and older is a variable condition of eligibility that must be addressed before certification and, at renewal. The parent or caretaker relative must provide proof that each child is current on age- appropriate immunizations within 90-calendar days of certification and when additional immunizations become due in the future unless he or she requests and, is approved for a good cause exemption, per (b) of this Section. Refer to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) website at www.ok.gov/health/ for current immunization schedules and vaccination information. Proof of immunization includes providing a copy of the vaccination record issued by the local health official or a licensed physician.

(1)   When the minor child attends a licensed child care center or home or a parochial, private, or public school, proof of current immunization is not required as each of these entities require proof of immunization or a signed OSDH Form 216-A, Certificate of Exemption, on file with OSDH as a condition of attendance.

(2)   When the child does not attend a facility per (a)(1) of this Section and the client fails to provide proof of current immunization within 90-calendar days without good cause, the worker reduces the TANF cash assistance by 25 percent of the payment standard, per Oklahoma Administrative Code 340:10-3-57(g). The worker removes the 25 percent penalty the next effective date after the client provides proof of current immunization.

(b)   Good cause. The client may request good cause because of the child's medical condition, the immunizations are contrary to the child's religion, or the client's personal objection.

(1)   Before good cause may be approved, the client must return a completed Form 216-A, signed by:

(A)   a physician, certifying that there is a medical contraindication;

(B)   a religious leader, parent, or caretaker relative, certifying that immunizations are contrary to the teachings of the child's religion; or

(C)   the parent or caretaker relative, certifying that immunizations are contrary to the parent's or care relative's beliefs.

(2)   When the worker receives a completed Form 216-A, he or she sends the form to the OSDH address on the form for a good cause determination. Good cause is not approved until OSDH returns an approved Form 216-A to the worker.

[Source: Added at 15 Ok Reg 145, eff 11-1-97 (emergency); Added at 15 Ok Reg 755, eff 1-1-98 (emergency); Added at 15 Ok Reg 1602, eff 5-11-98; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 2271, eff 5-1-00 (preemptive); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 1217, eff 6-1-01; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 6, eff 1-03-; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 781, eff 6-1-11; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1784, eff 9-16-19]