Senate bill · S266 (2025-26)
Relates to a religious exemption from vaccination requirements
New York State Senate
Same as A1358, the matching bill in the Assembly.
Summary
Provides a religious exemption from vaccination requirements for school attendance.
Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries
Amends the Public Health Law.
From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 30, 2026. About our data
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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo
This legislation restores the ability of families to opt not to have their child(ren) immunized in order to be admitted or received into a school or attending a school due to their sincere and religious beliefs, which are contrary to the requirement for such immunization.
Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)
Where it stands
Assigned to a committee for review.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Health · New York State Assembly
Also referred to Health · New York State Senate.
Cosponsors
Alec Brook-Krasny, Alexis Weik and 29 more on Agora
Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)- Republican31
Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.
- Alec Brook-Krasny
- Alexis Weik
- Andrea Bailey
- Anil Beephan Jr.
- Anthony H. Palumbo
- Brian D. Miller
- Brian Manktelow
- Christopher Friend
- Dean Murray
- Eric Brown
- George Borrello
- Jake Ashby
Show the full list (31 names)Show fewer cosponsors
The sponsor's argument
Why Patrick M. Gallivan says this is needed
The State of New York has long protected the religious liberties of its citizens and in particular has recognized such protections as it relates to the immunization of children for purposes of enrolling such children in a public, private, parochial or other school a s required pursuant to the Public Health Law. While vaccinating one's children is preferable, the fact of the matter is religious freedom is, in part, the basis upon which our union was founded and therefore said statutory protection from the requirement to vaccinate should be an option for the citizens of our state.
This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.
Full history
- May 19, 2026
Held for Consideration in Health
HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN HEALTH
NY Assembly
- Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HEALTH
NY Assembly
- Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HEALTH
NY Senate
- Jan 9, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HEALTH
NY Assembly
- Jan 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HEALTH
NY Senate