Commerce Committee – Week 16, 2021

COMMITTEE ACTION:

SF 610 Vaccine ‘passport’ ban

SF 610 is a leadership bill that:  

  • Prohibits the state or any political subdivision from including on an identification card any information regarding whether the cardholder has received a COVID-19 vaccination. 
  • Prohibits a business or governmental entity from requiring a customer, patron, client, patient, or other person invited onto the premises to furnish proof of having received a COVID-19 vaccination, a.k.a. “vaccine passport.” 
  • Allows a business or governmental entity to implement a COVID-19 screening protocol that does not require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.
  • State grants or contracts cannot be awarded to or renewed with any business or governmental entity that requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

“Business” includes retailers required to obtain a sales tax permit, non-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and any establishment open to the public or where entrance is limited by a cover or membership charge. “Business” does not include a health care facility as defined in Ch. 686D.2, including hospitals (135B), a residential care or nursing facilities (135C), surgical or treatment centers (514J.102), residential treatment centers (514J.102), intermediate care facilities for persons with mental illness or intellectual disabilities, hospice programs, elder group homes and assisted living programs.

A “governmental entity” includes the state or any political subdivision that owns, leases or operates buildings under the control of the state or a political subdivision of the state. “Governmental entity” does not include health care facilities (686D.2).

This bill’s companion, HF 889, passed the House Judiciary Committee on April 26 on a bipartisan 16-5 vote. The bill takes effect upon enactment.
[4/27: 11-4 (No: Mathis, Petersen, Quirmbach, Wahls; Excused: Schultz, Whiting)]