State Rep. Steve Carra today spearheaded the introduction of bipartisan legislation to prevent state and local vaccine mandates and make sure individuals who have not been vaccinated do not experience discrimination.

“In recent weeks, some government officials have proposed requiring ‘vaccine passports’ for basic, everyday activities, but Michigan residents should be able to make the best health care decisions for themselves, in cooperation with their doctors,” said Carra, of Three Rivers. “This plan will protect Michiganders seeking to make medical choices without fear of coercion or discrimination.”

The plan consists of House Bills 4789-4794, with bills sponsored by Carra and state Reps. John Damoose, Shri Thanedar, Beau LaFave, Matt Maddock and Jeff Yaroch. The proposal would prohibit state government agencies and local governments from requiring a person to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination or immunity status to access public property or receive a government service. An individual could initiate a civil lawsuit against an agency or local government that violates this prohibition.

The bills would also prevent an employer from requiring employees or job applicants to disclose their vaccination or immunity status or from retaliating or discriminating in employment practices based on vaccination or immunity status. Similarly, they would prevent a place of public accommodation from requiring documentation detailing one’s COVID-19 vaccination or immunity status as a condition of access. A person facing discrimination could bring a civil lawsuit against an employer or place of public accommodation.

Finally, the plan would eliminate the option to have the Secretary of State include immunization data on a driver’s license or state identification card.