Right to Refuse Update: 30 New Bills and Four New Laws!
About 30 new Right to Refuse bills have been introduced in the past 30 days, and four Right to Refuse bills were passed into law! It is always a challenge to draft proposed laws and successfully shepherd them through state legislatures. Hats off to all the folks fighting for the Right to Refuse. Here is a sample of the introduced bills and a list of bills that became law.
Bills Introduced
Louisiana
LA HB399: Requires that communication issued about immunization requirements include exemption information and applies exemptions not only to students seeking to enter school but also to students attending school.
LA HB372: To “the full extent permitted” by law, the CDC and WHO have no jurisdiction in state.
LA HB291: No proof of vaccine for hospital visitors; physical contact allowed.
Maine
ME HP956: An Act to Protect Maine Citizens from Discrimination by Including Vaccination Status as a Protected Class.
ME HP999: Prohibits mandatory vaccinations for COVID-19 for 5 years from the date of a vaccine’s first emergency use authorization by FDA, to allow for safety testing and investigations into reproductive harm.
Minnesota
MN HF2720: No employer shall require employees to openly or publicly reveal or display any part of their medical history or health information directly or indirectly. This includes but is not limited to public indication of an employee’s vaccination status. Violation is a misdemeanor.
North Carolina
NC HB621: Vaccines may not be added to childhood schedule unless they have been approved by the FDA for at least three years. Exception.
NC HB586: No discrimination in giving or receiving an organ transplant based on COVID-19 vaccination status.
New York
NY AB6451: Establishes a claim for strict liability against the state for any injury caused by the administration of an immunization which is mandated by state law.
NY AB6454: Vaccine bill of rights. Right to decide own medical interests without threat to job, schooling, or freedom of movement. Medical professional may not be asked to promote COVID-19 vaccine. No COVID-19 vaccine shall be mandatory for any person; no child may receive COVID-19 vaccine unless requested by parent. Other provisions.
NY AB6041: Allows opt-out of K-12 vaccines.
NY SB6119: State agencies cannot require COVID-19 vaccine without legislative authorization.
South Carolina and Wisconsin
SC HB3798: Food containing mRNA must be labeled as such.
WI AB229: Health department cannot add to K-12 schedule.
Bills that Have Passed!
Idaho SB1130: Introduced 2/28/23, signed by governor 4/6/23.
Businesses may not refuse service due to COVID-19 vaccine status, nor require employees to receive such vaccine unless required by federal law or foreign travel. State entity may not require any person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine for any government service unless required by federal law. Remedies.
Idaho HB244: Introduced 2/28/23, signed by governor 3/30/23.
Health care facilities may not require visitor precautions that are more stringent than those required for staff. Visitors may not be excluded based on vaccine status.
North Dakota HB1502: Introduced 1/23/23, signed by governor 4/7/23.
Death certificates must include COVID-19 status and COVID-19 vaccination status. Health care facility cannot require employee to receive COVID-19 or an experimental vaccine. Vaccine without liability is experimental. Hospitals may not deny treatment to a person based on COVID-19 vaccination status.
North Dakota SB2274: Introduced 1/16/23. Signed by governor 4/18/23.
It is an unlawful practice to discriminate in employment, public accommodations, or public services based on immunity passport. Exceptions include vaccines required by Medicare or CDC.
All in all, a great month for the Right to Refuse and health freedom and a testament to the many activists and others fighting for our rights!