The State of Montana requires all students to have specific vaccines or immunizations in order to attend school.

If immunizations have been delayed or behind the recommended schedules, the student may attend school on a "conditional" basis as long as they have received at least one vaccine of each type and will continue to receive the remaining doses. In this case, a Conditional Attendance Form must be completed by a physician or a health department official. 

If you have a medical or religious exemption, documentation of a valid exemption may be submitted in lieu of receiving all required vaccinations. If a medical or religious exemption is submitted, a copy of all previous immunizations must accompany the exemption form. Please note that the Religious Exemption Form no longer requires a notary signature and only needs to be submitted once. The Medical Exemption Form requires a health care provider signature and resubmitted annually at the start of each school year.

All records or forms may be dropped off to the school office or faxed to 406-656-9941. If you are unable to provide current immunization records, exemption or conditional forms, your student will be excluded from attending classes until the requirements have been met. 

Montana Code Annotated 2021

TITLE 20. EDUCATION

CHAPTER 5. PUPILS

Part 4. Health

Immunization Required -- Release And Acceptance Of Immunization Records

20-5-403. Immunization required -- release and acceptance of immunization records. (1) The governing authority of any school other than a postsecondary school may not allow a person to attend as a pupil unless the person:

(a) has been immunized against varicella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubella, mumps, and measles (rubeola) in the manner and with immunizing agents approved by the department;

(b) has been immunized against Haemophilus influenza type "b" before enrolling in a preschool if under 5 years of age;

(c) qualifies for conditional attendance; or

(d) files for an exemption as provided in 20-5-405.

(2) (a) The governing authority of a postsecondary school may not allow a person to attend as a pupil unless the person:

(i) has been immunized against rubella and measles (rubeola) in the manner and with immunizing agents approved by the department; or

(ii) files for an exemption as provided in 20-5-405.

(b) The governing authority of a postsecondary school may, as a condition of attendance, impose immunization requirements that are more stringent than those required by this part, subject to the exemptions provided for in 20-5-405.

(3) A pupil who transfers from one school district to another may photocopy immunization records in the possession of the school of origin. The school district to which a pupil transfers shall accept the photocopy as evidence of immunization. Within 30 days after a transferring pupil ceases attendance at the school of origin, the school shall retain a certified copy for the permanent record and send the original immunization records for the pupil to the school district to which the pupil transfers.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 147, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 509, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 102, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 644, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 165, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 156, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 124, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 294, L. 2021.