HB 1475 Summary

• Prohibits school districts, higher education institutions, and state education boards from requiring COVID-19 vaccination or vaccine passports as a condition of admission or attendance.

• Prohibits mask mandates specifically targeting unvaccinated students and bars schools from distinguishing between students based on vaccination status, including in athletics, extracurricular activities, classroom participation, surveys, and seating arrangements.

• Imposes a 5% reduction in state funding for school districts that violate these provisions, applied in the next funding distribution and continuing through the following fiscal year.

• Adds a penalty provision to Section 1210.191 (required immunizations) imposing the same 5% state funding reduction for violations, while maintaining existing immunization requirements for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, HIB, measles, rubella, poliomyelitis, varicella, and hepatitis A.

• Becomes effective July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause allowing immediate effect upon passage and approval.