With legislative sessions up and running across the USA, states are taking a wide variety of approaches to protecting their citizens from unwanted medical interventions, with dozens of new bills introduced just in January.

Issues addressed include masking mandates and business closures, expansion of medical exemptions, health care discrimination, and protection of K-12 and college students. Here are twelve new bills introduced in 2024 that give an idea of where legislatures are focusing this year.

Indiana

HB1071:
Under this bill, folks would be exempt from any vaccine requirement for school attendance, employment, or in any other context based on medical contraindication, religious belief, or a refusal of such requirement after being informed on the health risks of not getting the vaccination. The last exemption is quite broad, and essentially gives anyone the right to refuse a vaccine once they are notified of the potential risks in not getting vaccinated.

HB1335: 
Would establish an Indiana vaccination adverse event reporting system (IVAERS) for adverse events from childhood vaccines. Requires searchable online database of reports.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, two notable bills “rolled over” from 2023—these two bills can only pass if they are voted favorably out of committee by February 7, 2024, so it is urgent that folks contact their legislators in this state! If you want to take action, you can visit the state advocacy group Health Right MA.

HD734: 
Proof of COVID-19 vaccine not required for entry to public buildings; public or private elementary schools, secondary schools, high schools, charter schools, colleges, universities, or other post-secondary institution of higher education; private business as customer or employee; or public accommodations.

SD1094: 
No person shall be compelled to acquiesce to medical treatments or procedures or similar measures. No employer shall decline to hire, or terminate the employment of, a person based on the person’s choice to engage or not engage with a medical treatment or procedure. Remedies and exceptions.

 Oklahoma

SB1975: 
“Citizen’s Bill of Rights,” with a wide variety of general freedom measures. Under this Bill of Rights, neither government nor a business may force any citizen to undergo a medical procedure including a vaccine, nor penalize citizens or deny their unalienable rights, or otherwise restrict their employment, movement, and associations, if they decide not to have a particular medical procedure performed. Contains legal remedies and other provisions.

SB1950: 
State entity may not mandate face masking to prevent the spread of COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccination, or the closure of a private business, public school, or private school to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Rhode Island

SB2080: 
Prohibits private employers from mandating COVID-19 vaccination without exemptions for medical reasons, religious reasons, COVID-19 immunity, periodic testing, or the use of personal protective equipment. Fine of $10,000 or $50,000 for violation.

South Carolina

SB975: 
Broad “Medical Freedom Act.” Novel vaccines include any licensed for less than ten years; “Gene therapy” includes manipulation of genetic expression via synthetic mRNA-directed protein synthesis. Businesses, schools, and employers may not mandate a novel vaccine or gene therapy for services or employment. Criminal penalties up to five years’ imprisonment. Other provisions, including emergency powers and allowed quarantines.

Tennessee

HB1726: 
Prohibits the department of children’s services from requiring an immunization as a condition of adopting or overseeing a child in foster care if an individual or member of an individual’s household objects to immunization on the basis of religious or moral convictions.

West Virginia

HB4215: 
It is unlawful discrimination for a healthcare provider to offer disparate treatment to a patient based on vaccine status.

HB4348:

All persons who have contracted a disease and obtained natural immunity, or who have antibodies from prior infection, shall be considered fully vaccinated.

HB4424: 
Strengthens process for K-12 vaccine medical exemptions. Position of Immunization Officer eliminated. Medical exemptions shall be accepted. Provision punishing doctors for faulty exemptions eliminated.

Wisconsin

AB955: 
Prohibits discrimination in organ transplantation based on declining a vaccine which is under emergency use authorization, involves the transfer of genetic materials, has an annual dosing schedule, or is for the prevention of a disease against which the individual is protected, as shown by an antibody titer.

SB920: 
Any institution of higher education that receives public funding must exempt any student from any vaccine requirement for reasons of health, religion, or personal conviction. Students to be informed in writing of exemptions.

Please reach out to National Health Freedom Action for help in passing these and the many other Right to Refuse bills now pending across the USA!