Bill Text: MS HB1454 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: COVID-19 mandates; prohibit imposing upon businesses or individuals.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - Died In Committee [HB1454 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2022-HB1454-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Eubanks
House Bill 1454
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT ANY COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY STATE AGENCY OR ENTITY, OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI FROM ENACTING ANY EMERGENCY ORDER, ORDINANCE OR MANDATE THAT IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS UPON BUSINESSES OR INDIVIDUALS DUE TO COVID-19; TO DEFINE THE TERM "VACCINE PASSPORT"; TO PROHIBIT ANY COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY, STATE AGENCY OR ENTITY, OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE FROM CREATING A VACCINE PASSPORT OR REQUIRING AN INDIVIDUAL TO USE A VACCINE PASSPORT IN THE STATE FOR ANY PURPOSE; TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF A VACCINE PASSPORT AS A CONDITION FOR ENTRY, TRAVEL, EDUCATION OR SERVICES IN THE STATE; TO PROHIBIT A BUSINESS FROM REQUIRING AN EMPLOYEE OR INDIVIDUAL TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION CERTIFYING COVID-19 VACCINATION TO GAIN ACCESS TO, TO GAIN OR MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT WITH, OR RECEIVE SERVICE FROM THE BUSINESS; TO PROVIDE THAT A BUSINESS THAT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A GRANT OR ENTER INTO A CONTRACT THAT IS PAYABLE WITH STATE FUNDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) In order to protect the rights and liberties of individuals in the State of Mississippi, any emergency order, ordinance, or mandate issued by a county, municipality, state agency or entity, or political subdivision of the state that restricts the rights or liberties of individuals or their businesses due to COVID-19 is prohibited.
(2) No county, municipality, state agency or entity, or political subdivision of the state shall renew or enact an emergency order, ordinance, or mandate, using a local state of emergency or using emergency enactment procedures, that imposes restrictions upon businesses or individuals due to COVID-19.
SECTION 2. (1) As used in this section, "vaccine passport" means documentation that an individual has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
(2) No county, municipality, state agency or entity, or any political subdivision of the state, shall create a vaccine passport or require an individual to use a vaccine passport in the State of Mississippi for any purpose.
(3) The use of a vaccine passport shall not be a condition for entry, travel, education, or services in the State of Mississippi.
SECTION 3. (1) A business in the State of Mississippi shall not require an employee or individual to provide any documentation certifying the individual's COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery on entry to, to gain access to, to gain or maintain employment with, or to receive service from the business.
(2) A business that fails to comply with the provisions of this act is not eligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract that is payable with state funds.
(3) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, each appropriate state agency shall ensure that businesses in the state comply with this act, and may require compliance with this act as a condition for a license, permit, or other state authorization necessary for conducting business in the state.
(4) This act shall not be construed to restrict a business from implementing COVID-19 screening and infection control protocols in accordance with state and federal law to protect public health, or interfere with an individual's right to access his or her personal health information under federal law.
SECTION 4. This act supersedes any existing emergency order, ordinance or mandate issued by a county, municipality, state agency or entity, or any political subdivision of the state, that imposes restrictions upon businesses or individuals due to COVID-19.
SECTION 5. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a county, municipality, state agency or entity, or political subdivision of the state from enacting ordinances under regular enactment procedures to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its local population.
SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
