HSB 647

This bill relates to the prohibited required disclosure of, and discrimination based on, a person’s medical treatment status or the furnishing of an immunity passport. The bill amends Code chapter 27C (proof of vaccination for COVID-19). The bill strikes current provisions prohibiting the required furnishing of proof of a vaccination for COVID-19 and the prohibition against the awarding or renewal of grants or contracts funded by state revenue to a business or governmental entity that violates this provision. The bill instead amends the Code chapter to include prohibitions relating to a person’s medical treatment status including vaccination status or the furnishing of an immunity passport. _____ of law to the contrary, a business, educational institution, employer, or governmental entity shall not: inquire into the medical treatment status of, maintain a record including an existing record of the medical treatment status of, or require the furnishing of an immunity passport by, a person; refuse, withhold from, or deny to a person any services, goods, facilities, advantages, privileges, access, transportation or freedom of movement, licensing, educational opportunities, or health care access based on a person’s medical treatment status or the furnishing of an immunity passport; provide or disallow incentives such as coupons, free goods or services, or lotteries and games of chance, or impose a monetary fine or tax or other socioeconomic disincentive based on a person’s medical treatment status or the furnishing of an immunity passport; refuse to hire or employ, bar or discharge from employment, impose a surcharge or wage reduction, or discriminate against a person in compensation or in a term, condition, or privilege of employment based on the person’s medical treatment status or the furnishing of an immunity passport; or exclude, limit, segregate, refuse to serve, require a mask or other facial covering, require testing, or otherwise discriminate against a person based on the person’s medical treatment status or the furnishing of an immunity passport. The bill requires each appropriate state agency to ensure that a business in this state complies with the provisions of the bill and requires compliance with the provisions of the bill as a condition of obtaining a license, permit, or other state authorization as necessary to conduct business in this state. A business, educational institution, employer, or governmental entity that violates the provisions of the bill is liable for any adverse reaction, injury, disability, or death that is or may be related to a person receiving forced medical treatment in response to such violation. _____ of any substantial evidence to the contrary, that such adverse reaction, injury, disability, or death arose in the course of the person’s employment. The bill includes a directive to the Code editor to amend the title of Code chapter 27C to be titled the medical privacy and freedom Act.12. The bill takes effect upon enactment.