BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 623 89R4827 BEE-D By: Schwertner Health & Human Services 4/11/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The COVID-19 pandemic brought vaccinations to the forefront of healthcare, with pharmacists playing a critical role in administering vaccines. However, concerns have arisen about pharmacists' rights to refuse administering the COVID-19 vaccine, or any vaccine, on moral, ethical, or professional grounds without fear of punitive action from their employer. This bill seeks to provide pharmacists with explicit authority to refuse administering vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, to both adults and children. In 2018, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 2561, which granted pharmacists the right to refuse to dispense prescription drugs under certain conditions. Just as pharmacists are allowed to make conscientious decisions about dispensing medications, they should have the same statutory protections regarding vaccination administration. This bill extends those protections to cover all drugs and all vaccines, giving pharmacists the autonomy to make decisions in line with their professional or ethical beliefs. As proposed, S.B. 623 amends current law relating to the authority of a pharmacist to determine whether to administer a vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 551.006, Occupations Code, as follows: Sec. 551.006. EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law, a pharmacist has the exclusive authority to determine whether or not to administer a vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 623
89R4827 BEE-D By: Schwertner
Health & Human Services
4/11/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 623
89R4827 BEE-D
By: Schwertner
Health & Human Services
4/11/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The COVID-19 pandemic brought vaccinations to the forefront of healthcare, with pharmacists playing a critical role in administering vaccines. However, concerns have arisen about pharmacists' rights to refuse administering the COVID-19 vaccine, or any vaccine, on moral, ethical, or professional grounds without fear of punitive action from their employer. This bill seeks to provide pharmacists with explicit authority to refuse administering vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, to both adults and children.
In 2018, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 2561, which granted pharmacists the right to refuse to dispense prescription drugs under certain conditions. Just as pharmacists are allowed to make conscientious decisions about dispensing medications, they should have the same statutory protections regarding vaccination administration. This bill extends those protections to cover all drugs and all vaccines, giving pharmacists the autonomy to make decisions in line with their professional or ethical beliefs.
As proposed, S.B. 623 amends current law relating to the authority of a pharmacist to determine whether to administer a vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 551.006, Occupations Code, as follows:
Sec. 551.006. EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law, a pharmacist has the exclusive authority to determine whether or not to administer a vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.