New York Fined Amish Schools Over Vaccine Compliance
Three schools were fined $118,000 for allowing unvaccinated students to attend classes following the 2019 law change.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Homeschooling
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In 2022, the New York Department of Health assessed $118,000 in fines against three Amish schools for failing to meet state vaccination requirements. The state law, which repealed religious exemptions for immunizations in 2019, triggered the audits that led to these penalties.
Why it matters
The fines stem from a 2019 legislative push to mandate vaccinations after measles outbreaks affected communities across the state. The ongoing litigation highlights a significant conflict between state public health mandates and private educational practices.
The total fine of $118,000 was split into individual assessments of $52,000, $46,000, and $20,000 based on the number of noncompliant students. Schools face a daily penalty of $2,000 for every student who does not meet state requirements.
The players
New York Department of Health
The state agency responsible for overseeing public health regulations and enforcing school immunization mandates.
Miller v. McDonald
The legal case challenging the state's repeal of religious exemptions for childhood vaccinations on constitutional grounds.
The details
State officials conduct audits to verify student records against New York immunization mandates. When noncompliance is identified, the state issues warning letters to administrators before levying fines based on the number of students and the duration of their attendance without required records. This mechanism holds schools financially responsible for failing to enforce state-mandated immunization policies for their student bodies.
Timeline
Measles outbreaks occurred across New York during 2018 and 2019.
New York repealed the religious exemption for school vaccinations in 2019.
State health officials audited three Amish schools for compliance in 2021.
New York state fined the three schools a total of $118,000 in 2022.
Legal representatives announced an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court on October 2, 2026.
The Home Front
The enforcement of these vaccination requirements marks a significant shift in how New York state regulates non-public educational settings. This case follows the 2019 repeal of religious exemptions, establishing a precedent for how fines are calculated and applied to private and religious institutions.
Families operating home-based or private educational programs should ensure all health records and immunization documentation remain current and compliant with state standards. Consult with your local school district or an educational attorney to verify that your enrollment records meet all state-level health mandates.
The takeaway
Maintaining up-to-date health records is essential for any school setting to avoid substantial administrative fines under current state law. If you are responsible for school administration, keep your immunization tracking records organized and easily accessible for routine state audits.
Further reading
For more information on state educational requirements, visit the New York Homeschooling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Snopes.
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