Multiple states have introduced legislation against the implementation of vaccination passports on the basis of freedom and privacy challenges
Joanna Fantozzi
A growing group of states has preemptively banned or restricted the requirement of proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or so-called vaccine passports. The vaccine passport – which could be digital, like a smartphone app — would show someone’s vaccination status and reportedly allow Americans to get a green light to participate in various activities like traveling nationally or internationally, attending crowded events like concerts and sports games, and even walking into businesses.
Biden administration officials have said the federal government will not be issuing a mandated vaccination credential. But officials left room for businesses and other entities to mandate proof of vaccination.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned state government and some private entities from requiring vaccine passports to access services in an executive order on Monday. Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a similar executive order Friday banning the use of COVID-19 vaccination passports in the state, citing privacy and freedom concerns.
Here is a list of other states that have initiated legislation that would do ban or restrict the use of vaccine passports: Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Many of these bills were introduced recently in response to New York State’s Excelsior pass passport program, which went live on March 27 and will allow businesses to quickly scan these digital passes to determine a person’s vaccination status.
Read more the Growing Movement Of States Banning Mandatory Vaccination Passports on NRN.com here.
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