(a) The State Department of Public Health shall, no later than April 1, 2010, develop information about meningococcal disease, including information pertaining to children who are between 11 and 18 years of age. The information may include a recommendation that children between 11 and 18 years of age be vaccinated. The information shall include:

(1) Information about meningococcal disease, including symptoms, risks, and treatment.

(2) Notice of the availability, benefits, risks, and limitations of a meningococcus vaccination, with specific information as to those persons at higher risk for the disease.

(b) The department shall make available to each degree-granting public and private postsecondary institution, upon the request of that institution, information developed by the department on meningococcal disease.

(c) The department shall also send an information notice to each school district advising each school district of the availability of information developed by the department, and shall make the information available to any school district upon the request of that school district.

(d) The department may also use the information developed to design and implement a public awareness campaign about meningococcal disease to reach members of the population identified as being at high risk for contracting the disease.

(e) The State Department of Education may add the above-described information about meningococcal disease to any health education material that is sent home to parents of students who are at least 11 years of age.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 176, Sec. 2. (SB 249) Effective January 1, 2010.)