Title 4 . Education and Early Development

Chapter 62 . (Repealed)

Section 450. Health in child care facilities

4 AAC 62.450. Health in child care facilities

(a) At or before admission of a child, a child care facility shall obtain from the child's parent

(1) a valid immunization certificate; or

(2) evidence that the child is exempt from immunization.

(b) A valid immunization certificate is a copy of the child's original immunization record showing that, in a manner consistent with the timetable prescribed by the Department of Health and Social Services childhood immunization schedule, the child has received, or has begun and is continuing to receive, immunizations for the child's age against

(1) diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, and rubella;

(2) if the child is less than seven years of age, pertussis; and

(3) beginning July 1, 2001, mumps, hepatitus A, hepatitus B, chicken pox, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. The immunization record is limited to either or both a statement by a physician, listing the date that each required immunization was given, or a clinic or health center record, listing the date that each required immunization was given.

(c) Evidence of exemption from immunization must include one of the following:

(1) a statement signed by a doctor of medicine (M.D.), doctor of osteopathy (D.O.), physician assistant, or advanced nurse practitioner licensed in this state, stating that immunizations would, in that individual's professional opinion, be injurious to the health of the child or members of the child's family or household;

(2) an affidavit signed by the child's parent or guardian, affirming that immunization conflicts with the tenets and practices of the church or religious denomination of which the parent or guardian is a member; or

(3) entry for a one day exemption that the child is attending the child care facility for the first time.

(d) A child care facility in a community where medical services are not available on at least a weekly basis may provisionally admit a child who does not have the immunization certificate required under (a) of this section until the certificate can be obtained, but for no longer than 60 days.

(e) A satisfactory immunization audit report from the Department of Health and Social Services division of public health during the previous licensure period will be accepted as evidence that the child care facility satisfied the requirements of (a) - (d) of this section.

(f) A child care facility may admit a mildly ill child or allow the child to remain in attendance if the child's needs do not compromise the care of other children.

(g) A child care facility that cares for a mildly ill child shall arrange a plan of care with the parent and provide a place where, under supervision, the child may rest or play quietly, apart from other children, where warranted.

(h) A child care facility may not admit a child who shows definite signs of a serious illness or of a highly communicable disease or allow the child to remain in attendance unless a medical provider approves the child's attendance.

(i) A child care facility shall provide an opportunity for supervised rest or sleep periods for each child under the age of five who is in care more than five hours, and for any other child, if desired by the child. For a child who is unable to sleep, the child care facility shall provide time and space for quiet play.

History: Eff. 1/1/96, Register 136; am 3/1/98, Register 145; am 12/30/2000, Register 156; am 2/8/2002, Register 161

Authority: AS 14.37.020

Editor's note: Alaska's childhood immunization schedule prescribed by the Department of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health may be obtained from the Division of Public Health, P.O. Box 110610, 350 Main Street, Room 503, Juneau, Alaska 99811-0610 or any other office of that division in the state.