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No Vaccine Passports Act
12/15/2023, 4:05 PM
Summary of Bill S 181
If passed, this bill would prevent any federal agency or official from mandating the use of vaccine passports as a condition for individuals to engage in certain activities or access certain services. The bill also prohibits the federal government from providing funding to any state or local government that requires the use of vaccine passports.
Supporters of the No Vaccine Passports Act argue that vaccine passports infringe on individual freedoms and privacy rights, and could lead to discrimination against those who choose not to get vaccinated. They believe that individuals should have the right to make their own healthcare decisions without government interference. Opponents of the bill argue that vaccine passports are necessary to control the spread of infectious diseases and protect public health. They believe that requiring proof of vaccination can help prevent outbreaks and ensure the safety of individuals in crowded spaces. Overall, the No Vaccine Passports Act is a controversial piece of legislation that raises important questions about individual rights, public health, and government intervention. It remains to be seen whether the bill will be passed into law and how it will impact the ongoing debate surrounding vaccine passports in the United States.
Congressional Summary of S 181
No Vaccine Passports Act
This bill restricts collection and disclosure of an individual's vaccination status, including for COVID-19 vaccinations. It also makes it unlawful to discriminate based on COVID-19 vaccination status and to mandate vaccination in certain circumstances.
Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or collaborate with federal, state, private, or international systems that track or monitor an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status. Additionally, federal agencies must destroy existing records that contain information about an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status within 30 days. Furthermore, agencies may not issue vaccine passports or similar standardized documentation of COVID-19 vaccination status.
The bill also prohibits discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccination status or willingness to provide documentation of vaccination status in employment, public accommodations, and certain public programs and services. Remedies and enforcement mechanisms available under federal civil rights laws apply to violations under this bill.
In addition, federal privacy standards for health information must prohibit the disclosure of non-anonymized information about the status of any vaccination without a patient's express consent. Moreover, the bill makes anyone who requests an individual's vaccination status subject to these standards.
The bill temporarily bans (1) mandates for vaccines authorized for use under emergency procedures, and (2) administration of those vaccines to minors or individuals who lack capacity to consent to vaccinations without the consent of their parent or guardian. It also prohibits public disclosure of an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status without express, written consent. Violations of these prohibitions are subject to criminal and civil penalties.
