Each week, AIM staff compile new or moving legislation in jurisdictions all over the country.
This legislative summary is for the week of May 6, 2022.
Enacted Legislation
COVID-19, Mandates and Exemptions
- TN HB 1871 was enacted on 4/29/22. This act prohibits governmental entities, local education agencies, schools, and private businesses from adopting or enforcing laws, rules, or practices that fail to recognize natural immunity as providing a level of immune protection that is at least as protective as a COVID-19 vaccine or treat individuals with natural immunity differently than individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Public Health Athority and COVID-19
- DC B 737 was enacted on 5/3/22. This act authorizes certain emergency procurements deemed necessary to respond to changing public health conditions and to protect the health and safety of District residents. Such procurements include those that protect public health and safety through COVID-19 testing, COVID-19 vaccination, the provision of masks, and related staffing, equipment, and supplies.
Movement on Existing Bills
COVID-19, Mandates, and Exemptions
- LA HB 47, initially introduced 2/4/22, passed the House and was ordered to the Senate on 5/5/22. This bill requires communications issued to students/parents or guardians regarding immunization requirements include exemption information and requires schools to accept each written statement related to seeking exemption.
Other
- CT S 448 was sent to the governor on 5/4/22. This bill pertains to the delivery of health care and mental health services to inmates of correctional institutions. This bill ensures that inmates have access to all vaccines licensed or authorized under an emergency use authorization.
Gaining Media Attention
- On Facebook, a group supporting OH HB 248 announced that Ohio State Representative Shawn Stevens would support the bill (alongside 14 other Republicans). This bill prohibits mandatory vaccinations, required disclosure of vaccination status, and discrimination on the basis of vaccination status. Comments on the Facebook post showed support for Stevens.
- The People’s Freedom Coalition rallied outside the Connecticut state capitol on 4/30/22 to protest vaccination, which trended on Twitter in Connecticut following a story posted by the Hartford Courant.
- On 4/26/22 and 4/27/22, CA AB 1797 was heard by the Health and Education Committees. This bill expands immunization registries by requiring certain entities (health agencies, schools/daycares, etc.) to disclose specified immunization information, such as immunization status and demographic information. Groups on social media organized campaigns to oppose CA AB 1797.
- AZ HB 2498 gained media attention after being signed by the governor on 4/25/22. This act prohibits government entities from mandating employee COVID-19 vaccine requirements. This includes vaccines against any current or future COVID-19 variant. This act has garnered mixed sentiment on social media, as many are in support of the legislation, some say the bill needed to extend to private employers, and others were critical of Arizona’s governor.
Introduced Legislation
COVID-19, Mandates, and Exemptions
- NJ HR 7570 was introduced on 4/25/22. This bill establishes protections for individuals in the Armed Forces who were involuntarily dismissed solely on the basis of refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. This bill received support on Twitter, when the social media platform posted a story published by the conservative news site, Newsmax.
Please Note: AIM is striving to monitor fast-moving state legislative developments. The information included in this summary may not be comprehensive and is subject to change. Please consult the linked jurisdiction websites for the most up-to-date information on each bill. If you are aware of missing information, please notify us. For individualized support, contact AIM Chief Policy and Government Relations Officer Brent Ewig. AIM would like to thank ASTHO for the ongoing partnership and support that makes these summaries possible and invite you to check out AIM’s Policy Toolkit for more legislative resources.