N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-7.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 3A:52-7.3 - Health and immunization requirements for children

(a) For early childhood programs, the following shall apply:

1. Each child not enrolled in a public or private school shall have had a health examination performed by a health care provider, within:

i. Six months prior to admission, for children who are 21/2 years of age or younger; or

ii. One year prior to admission, for children above 21/2 years of age.

2. For each child not enrolled in a public or private school, upon admission, the center shall maintain on file at the center a Universal Child Health Record (Department of Health Form CH-14) or its equivalent, updated annually, along with an immunization record, and a special care plan, if applicable. A 30-day grace period is permitted in N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.5(e):

i. For children coming from other states or countries in accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.6 and 4.7; and

ii. For children who are in foster care or experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11434 a(2).

3. For children enrolled in a public or private school, the center shall obtain a written statement from each child's parent indicating:

i. That the child is in good health and can participate in the normal activities of the program; and

ii. Any conditions or specific needs that may require special accommodations.

4. If immunizations are contraindicated for medical reasons, the center may choose to admit the child, provided that the parent submits to the center a written statement from a health care provider, as specified in N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.3, attesting to the following:

i. The reason the immunization is medically contraindicated; and

ii. The specific time period that the immunization is medically contraindicated.

5. A child shall be exempted from a physical examination, immunization, or medical treatment if the parent objects thereto in a written statement submitted to the center, signed by the parent, explaining how the examination, immunization, or medical treatment conflicts with the child's exercise of bona fide religious tenets or practices.

i. Religiously-affiliated centers shall have the authority to withhold or grant a religious exemption from the required immunization for children entering or attending their centers without challenge by any secular health authority, as specified in N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.4.

ii. The center shall maintain the parent's written statement on file as part of the child's record.

6. Those children with immunization exemptions may be excluded from the center by the Office of Licensing or the Department of Health during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or threatened outbreak, as determined by the State Commissioner of Health.

(b) For school-age child care programs, the following shall apply:

1. The center shall obtain a written statement from each child's parent indicating:

i. That the child is in good health and can participate in the normal activities of the program; and

ii. Any conditions or special needs that may require special accommodations.

N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-7.3

Administrative Change, 49 N.J.R. 98a.

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 413(a), effective 3/6/2017