HB 4927
bill lets medical and vet students opt out of vaccines
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to an exemption from certain immunization requirements for medical and veterinary students.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
A notarized affidavit of conscience does it.
The bill lets students in Texas medical schools and veterinary schools opt out of required vaccines by signing a notarized affidavit saying they decline for reasons of conscience, including religious belief. It covers students in schools, departments or colleges of Texas higher education institutions that award medical or veterinary degrees, and it overrides other laws that would require those vaccines. Schools could no longer bar these students from enrolling or taking courses over vaccination status, starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, as long as the student files the state form within 90 days of notarizing it.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the House Public Health committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB4927 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
+ 1 coauthor
ITEM
relating to an exemption from certain immunization requirements for medical and veterinary students.
WHAT IT DOES
A notarized affidavit of conscience does it.
The bill lets students in Texas medical schools and veterinary schools opt out of required vaccines by signing a notarized affidavit saying they decline for reasons of conscience, including religious belief. It covers students in schools, departments or colleges of Texas higher education institutions that award medical or veterinary degrees, and it overrides other laws that would require those vaccines. Schools could no longer bar these students from enrolling or taking courses over vaccination status, starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, as long as the student files the state form within 90 days of notarizing it.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Public Health
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$20,000.00
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$20,000.00
- Cash
- $20,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $20,000.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 8, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101007132, 101027774, 101071421.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$20,000.00
- Cash
- $20,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $20,000.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 8, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101007132, 101027774, 101071421.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Mar 13, 2025
04/03/2025 H Referred to Public Health: Apr 3 2025 12:38PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Public Health · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
SB 2119 by Sparks (identical)
Subjects
Education--Higher--Health Institutions
Health--General
Health--Other Diseases & Medical Conditions
IMMUNIZATIONS
PHYSICIANS
VETERINARIANS
Text
The text as introduced · 419 words
89R12396 MCF-D By: Shofner H.B. No. 4927 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to an exemption from certain immunization requirements for medical and veterinary students. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 161.0041(a), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A person claiming an exemption from a required immunization based on reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, under Section 161.004 or 161.0053 of this code, Section 38.001, 51.9192, or 51.933, Education Code, or Section 42.043, Human Resources Code, must complete an affidavit on a form provided by the department stating the reason for the exemption. This subsection does not apply to a person claiming the exemption using the Internet-based process under Section 51.9192(d-3), Education Code. SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 161.0053 to read as follows: Sec. 161.0053. IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTION FOR MEDICAL OR VETERINARY STUDENT. (a) In this section: (1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. (2) "Medical school" means: (A) a medical school as defined by Section 61.501, Education Code; or (B) any other institution of higher education, or school, department, or college of an institution of higher education, that awards medical degrees. (3) "School of veterinary medicine" means any school, department, or college of an institution of higher education that awards veterinary medicine degrees. (b) Notwithstanding Section 51.933, Education Code, or any other law, a student enrolled in a medical school or school of veterinary medicine may not be required to receive an immunization as a prerequisite to enrollment or participation in a course offered by the medical school or school of veterinary medicine if the student submits to the school's admitting official an affidavit signed by the student stating the student declines immunization for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. (c) An affidavit submitted under Subsection (b) must be on a form described by Section 161.0041 and submitted to the admitting official not later than the 90th day after the date the affidavit is notarized. SECTION 3. Section 161.0053, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.