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Right to Refuse: Tracking the Laws Designed to Protect Your Health Freedom
Since 2020, the Right to Refuse project has kept folks informed with an interactive state map showing both new laws and pending bills defending our ability to choose whether to receive a vaccine or other medical intervention.
By Steven O’Connor
Since 2020, the Right to Refuse project has kept folks informed with an interactive state map showing both new laws and pending bills defending our ability to choose whether to receive a vaccine or other medical intervention.
On this website, you can click on your state to see what bills are pending or have passed. As of December 2023, the project reviewed over 3,000 bills and tracked 1,078 in 49 states which would protect our rights. Twenty-nine states have now passed 75 Right to Refuse bills into law, along with eight resolutions.
The website also lists organizations with “boots on the ground” in state capitols around the county. This project is a collaboration of state health freedom leaders and National Health Freedom Action.
Here is a recap of 15 bills protecting bodily autonomy that passed into law in 2023:
Broad right to refuse protections
Businesses and government entities may not require COVID-19 testing for services or employment; employers may not discriminate based on COVID-19 vaccine status, immunity, or testing.
Public accommodations and employers may not discriminate based on vaccine status; government entities may not require any vaccine.
Businesses may not refuse service based on COVID-19 vaccine status, require an employee to get such a vaccination, with exceptions; state entity may not condition services based on COVID-19 vaccine status.
Unlawful to discriminate in employment, public accommodations, or public services based on immunity passport. Exceptions include vaccines required by Medicare.
Government entity may not mandate face masks to prevent spread of COVID-19, vaccination against COVID-19, or business and school closures.
Non-government employers may not mandate COVID-19 vaccination, remedies and other provisions.
State entity may not mandate or coerce any person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment or access to services. Health Department to maintain data on risks from COVID-19 vaccines. Other provisions.
Hospital visitors’ rights
No hospital/facility visitor precautions that are more stringent than those required for staff. Visitors may not be excluded based on vaccine status.
No hospital/facility visitor precautions that are more stringent than those required for staff. Facilities may not require proof of vaccination from visitors. Physical contact with patients allowed.
Youth and parent protection
No COVID-19 vaccine mandates for pre-K-12 and postsecondary schools before July 1, 2029.
Vaccine status of parents or children may not be admitted into evidence in proceedings involving child custody or parental rights.
Prohibits investigations and court orders terminating a parent’s relationship with their child based on the child’s immunization status.
Childcare facilities shall notify parents of right to object for any reason to vaccine requirements.
Death certificates to show vaccine status; Medicaid protection
Death certificates to include vaccination status; health facilities cannot mandate employer COVID-19 vaccine; hospitals may not deny treatment based on COVID-19 vaccine status.
Prohibits discrimination against a Medicaid recipient or child health plan program enrollee based on immunization status.
Over 100 new Right to Refuse bills have now been filed for 2024, in addition to the many legislative proposals that “rolled over” from 2023. Check out RighttoRefuse.org to see what’s happening with these important bills around the USA!
Steven O’Connor is a staff attorney with National Health Freedom Action and the National Health Freedom Coalition.
