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COVID–19 Individual Liberty Act of 2021
12/30/2022, 8:03 AM
Summary of Bill HR 5829
The bill includes provisions that aim to prevent government overreach and infringement on personal freedoms in response to the pandemic. It prohibits the government from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations or imposing lockdowns or other restrictions on individuals without their consent.
Additionally, the bill includes measures to ensure transparency and accountability in government actions related to the pandemic. It requires the government to provide clear and accurate information to the public about COVID-19, including data on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Overall, the COVID–19 Individual Liberty Act of 2021 seeks to strike a balance between protecting public health and safeguarding individual freedoms during the ongoing pandemic. It is currently being debated in Congress, with supporters arguing that it is necessary to prevent government overreach, while critics raise concerns about the potential impact on public health efforts.
Congressional Summary of HR 5829
COVID-19 Individual Liberty Act of 2021
This bill nullifies executive orders and otherwise limits the authority of the federal government and federally funded entities to mandate COVID-19 vaccines and other prevention measures.
Specifically, the bill nullifies two executive orders issued on September 9, 2021, which (1) mandate COVID-19 vaccines for federal employees, and (2) require federal contractors to comply with workplace safety guidance for preventing COVID-19.
In addition, the bill bars the use of federal funds for implementing or enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, including employer-based mandates. The bill also prohibits requiring, as a condition of participation in Medicare or Medicaid, that health care providers mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees.
Furthermore, the federal government may not (1) issue any standardized documentation that certifies an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status to a third party, or (2) condition the provision of any service or benefit on the receipt of documentation certifying an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status or post-transmission recovery. These prohibitions apply to state, tribal, and local governments (excluding schools and institutions of higher education) as a condition of receiving federal COVID-19 relief funds.
The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish guidelines on the extent to which natural immunity to COVID-19 prevents contracting or spreading the disease.
