The US Equal Employment Opportunity Cmmission announced that employers could require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as long as they did not violate the Americans with Disabilities and the Civil Rights acts. The federal guidance prompted a number of states to prohibit businesses from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of work. However, some states have sought to require COVID-19 vaccines for state employees and health workers. Find the status of individual states’ efforts to ban or enforce private employer-mandated vaccinations, mandates on vaccines for state employees and health workers, and vaccine passports, above. Updated August 20, 2021
Alabama On May 17, Gov. Kay Ivey signed SB 267, which prohibits a state or local government entity, or any of its officers or agents, from issuing vaccine or immunization passports, vaccine or immunization passes, or any other standardized documentation for the purpose of certifying the immunization status of an individual.
Alaska On April 26, Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an order prohibiting Executive Branch departments, agencies, officials, state entities, and the public from requiring any person to produce their personal vaccine history in order to travel to or around Alaska.
Arizona On April 19, Gov. Doug Ducey issued an order prohibiting all state and local governments from requiring people to prove their COVID-19 vaccination status to enter a business, building or area or to receive government service, permit or license. Private businesses and healthcare institutions, however, can still require COVID-19 vaccination status documentation of patients, residents, employees or visitors.
On June 30, the governor signed SB 1824, which prohibits the establishment of a COVID-19 passport.
Arkansas On April 30, the state enacted SB 615, which prohibits the use of a vaccine passport for any purpose including as a condition for entry, travel, education, or services.
California On June 18, the California Department of Public Health and Technology launched the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal, a website that allows residents to upload a digital copy of their vaccination record.
Colorado There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Connecticut There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Delaware There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
District of Columbia There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Florida On April 2, Gov. Ron Desantis announced that no Florida government entity, or its subdivisions, agents, or assigns, can issue vaccine passports, vaccine passes, or other standardized documentation for the purpose of certifying an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status to a third party, or otherwise publish or share any individual's COVID-19 vaccination record or similar health information; and that businesses in Florida are prohibited from requiring patrons or customers to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery to gain access to, entry upon, or service from the business.
On May 3, the governor signed SB 2006, which prohibits COVID-19 vaccine passports and codifies the governors aforementioned order.
Georgia On May 25, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that no state agency, provider of state services, or state property can implement a Vaccine Passport Program.
Hawaii On May 11, the state launched its inter-island vaccine passport program that exempts vaccinated travelers from needing to get tested or quarantine prior to traveling between islands.
Idaho On April 7, Gov. Brad Little issued an order prohibiting any state department, agency, board, commission, or other executive branch entity or official from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination from individuals as a condition of accessing state services or facilities, producing or issuing a passport to certify an individual has been vaccinated, or providing information of an individual’s vaccine status to any entity as part of a passport program
Illinois There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Indiana On April 29, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed HB 1405, which prohibits the state or a local unit of government from issuing or requiring immunization passports.
Iowa On May 20, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 889, which prevents state and local governments from including a person’s vaccination status on a government-issued identification card. The bill also withholds state grants and contracts from local governments or businesses that require customers to prove they have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Kansas On May 26, Gov. Laura Kelly signed SB 159, which prohibits state agencies from issuing a COVID-19 vaccination passport to any individual without such individual's consent or requiring an individual to use a COVID-19 vaccination passport within the state for any purpose.
Kentucky There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Louisiana Vaccine passports are not required or banned in this state. On July 20, Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed a bill that would have prohibited requirements such as having proof of vaccination on driver's licenses.
Maine There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Maryland There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Massachusetts There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Michigan There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Minnesota There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Mississippi There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Missouri On June 15, Gov. Michael Parson signed SB 271, which prohibits any county, city, town, or village receiving public funds from requiring documentation of an individual having received a vaccination against COVID-19 in order for the individual to access transportation system or services or any other public accommodations.
Montana On April 13, Gov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order prohibiting the state-sponsored development and required use of vaccine passports to access state services or facilities. The order also prohibits businesses from requiring customers to provide proof of vaccination to enter or receive services from a business.
On May 7, the governor signed HB 702, which prohibits discrimination based on vaccination status or whether the person has an immunity passport.
Nebraska There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Nevada There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
New Hampshire On July 26, Gov. Chris Sununu signed HB 220, which prohibits any government agency or political subdivision from compelling an individual to provide proof of vaccination to secure, receive, or access any public facility, any public benefit, or any public service from the state.
New Jersey There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
New Mexico There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
New York On March 26, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the launch of Excelsior Pass, a voluntary app that allows people to upload negative COVID-19 test results or proof of vaccination. People can use the app to access sections reserved for fully vaccinated individuals at participating theaters, major stadiums and arenas, wedding receptions, catered events, and other events.
North Carolina There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
North Dakota On May 7, Gov. Doug Burgum signed HB 1465, which prohibits a state government entity or any of its subdivisions, agents, or assigns from requiring documentation, whether physical or electronic, for the purpose of certifying or otherwise communicating an individual's vaccination status; the presence of pathogens, antigens, or antibodies; or an individual's post-transmission recovery status before providing access to state property, funds, or services.
On April 8, the legislature passed SCR 4016, which encourages Congress to refrain from issuing a vaccine passport and from enacting any law that would restrict an individual's right to travel or participate in commerce, religious freedom, and education based on whether the individual has received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Ohio There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Oklahoma May 28, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed SB 658, which prohibits a board of education of a public school district or a technology center school district, the board of regents of an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, the governing board of a private postsecondary educational institution, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the State Board of Education or the State Board of Career and Technology Education from requiring a vaccine passport as a condition of admittance to or attendance of the school or institution.
On May 28, the governor issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring that people show proof of vaccination to enter public buildings. The order doesn't apply to employees or buildings of state agencies that are primarily involved in medical patient-facing activities.
Oregon There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Pennsylvania There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Rhode Island There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
South Carolina On May 11, Gov. Henry McMaster issued an order prohibiting state and local government agencies from requiring proof of vaccination or vaccine passports to receive government services or gain access to ant building, facility, or location.
South Dakota On April 21, Gov. Kristi Noem issued an order prohibiting state and local agencies from developing vaccine passports or requiring that people show proof of vaccination.
Tennessee On May 26, Go. Bill Lee signed SB 858, which prohibits any state or local governmental official, entity, department, or agency from requiring physical documentation or digital storage of protected health information related to an individual's immunization or vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of entering upon the premises of a state or local government entity, or utilizing services provided by a state or local government entity.
Texas On April 6, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order prohibiting state agencies or political subdivisions from creating a vaccine passport requirement, or otherwise conditioning receipt of services on an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status. The order also prohibits organizations receiving public funds from requiring consumers to provide documentation of vaccine status in order to receive any service or enter any place.
On June 16, the governor signed SB 968, which prohibits governmental entities from issuing any standardized documentation to certify COVID-19 vaccination for a purpose other than health care.
On July 29, the governor issued an order reiterating the ban on vaccine passports passed by the legislature.
Utah On March 16, Gov. Spencer Cox signed House Bill 308, which prohibits state agencies and public universities from requiring people to show proof of vaccination.
Vermont There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Virginia There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Washington There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
West Virginia There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Wisconsin There is no requirement or ban in place in this state.
Wyoming On May 7, Gov. Mark Gordon issued a directive prohibiting state agencies, boards, and commissions from requiring proof of vaccination or vaccine passports to receive services.
