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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
state agencies; cash payment; acceptance
(Now: enforcement prohibition; vaccinations; requirements)
Purpose
Prohibits the state and any political subdivision that receives and uses state tax revenues (governmental entity) from requiring any person under 18 years of age receive a vaccination for COVID-19 or a COVID-19 variant without the consent of a parent or guardian. Classifies, as a class 1 misdemeanor, a violation of the prohibition.
Background
On April 19, 2021, the Governor issued an Executive Order prohibiting a state agency, county, city, town or other political subdivision from adopting any order, policy, regulation, ordinance or other measure that requires an individual to provide documentation regarding the individual's COVID-19 vaccination status as a condition of: 1) entering any building, business, facility, location, park or other space; or 2) receiving any service, permit, license or other work authorization requirement (Executive Order 2021-09).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits any governmental entity from requiring a person under 18 years of age receive a vaccination for COVID-19 or a COVID-19 variant without the consent of a parent or guardian.
2. Classifies, as a class 1 misdemeanor, a violation of the prohibition on requiring a person under 18 years of age to receive a COVID-19 vaccination without parental the consent of a parent or guardian.
3. Allows a county attorney to prosecute any violation of the prohibition on requiring a person under 18 years of age to receive a COVID-19 vaccination without the consent of a parent or guardian.
4. Defines governmental entity.
5. Designates this legislation as the Health Care Freedom Act.
6. Makes technical changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Adopted the strike-everything amendment.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Prohibits a governmental entity from requiring a minor to receive a COVID-19 vaccination without the consent of a parent or guardian, rather than enforcing any requirement that a minor receive a COVID-19 vaccination without parental consent.
2. Makes technical and conforming changes.
House Action Senate Action
GE 2/2/22 DP 13-0-0-0 FIN 3/23/22 DPA/SE 6-1-3
3rd Read 2/17/22 58-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
April 11, 2022
MH/slp