Ending COVID Vaccine Mandates for Colleges and Universities Act
Impact
The implications of HB 1374 are significant for state law regarding higher education institutions and their governance. If passed, it would effectively prevent colleges and universities from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for admission, enrollment, or employment. This could set a precedent that might influence future health-related policies within educational frameworks and could align with broader national trends advocating for reduced governmental and institutional mandates regarding health practices.
Summary
House Bill 1374, titled the 'Ending COVID Vaccine Mandates for Colleges and Universities Act,' seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by instituting a prohibition on COVID-19 vaccine mandates imposed by institutions of higher education. According to the proposed amendment, any institution that enforces such mandates would become ineligible for federal funds or participation in programs under the Act while the mandate is active. This legislation underscores a clear shift towards personal autonomy regarding health decisions in educational environments.
Contention
There could be notable points of contention surrounding the bill, particularly in discussions around public health and safety on college campuses. Supporters argue that the bill respects individual choice and safeguards against overreach by educational institutions, while opponents may contend that such mandates could be necessary for protecting the health of students and faculty, especially in densely populated academic environments. The tensions between personal rights and collective health may become a central theme in debates around the legislation.
Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2023 or the AMERICANS Act This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate. Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason. Under the bill, DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers. Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions. This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.
No Mandates Act This bill prohibits federal agencies and certain entities that receive federal funding from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations. Specifically, federal agencies may not issue rules, regulations, or guidance that require an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill also prohibits requiring a COVID-19 vaccination to access federal property and services or congressional grounds and services. Additionally, an entity that received federal COVID-19 relief funds or receives other federal funds after this bill's enactment may not require a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of providing any service to an individual.