SB737 Summary

• Prohibits private employers, public accommodations, state agencies, and local officials from mandating COVID-19 vaccines or immunizations if the vaccine has been tested for less than 5 years or on the market for less than 3 years.

• Prohibits discrimination against individuals who refuse COVID-19 vaccination, including withholding career advancement, salary increases, insurance, or services based on vaccination status.

• Prohibits requiring or discriminating based on vaccine passports (documentation of COVID-19 vaccination status) for any purpose, entry, travel, education, or services.

• Healthcare facilities may request voluntary vaccination status information and implement reasonable accommodation measures to protect safety, and are exempt from these requirements if compliance would violate Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regulations.

• The law expires 2 years from the date the FDA approves COVID-19 vaccines for full licensure; allows state-owned medical facilities to mandate vaccines with Legislative Council approval.