Bill
H 2974
Prohibits government forcing COVID vaccines for public services or employment; bans vaccine passports; protects bodily integrity of public employees and applicants.
Status and timeline
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Referred to: Committee on Public Service (2/27/2025)
- Legislative actions: Senate concurrence noted (2/27/2025)
- Hearing: Scheduled/Rescheduled to September 22, 2025 (duration and time updated; in-person in A-2 and virtual option)
- Related bill: HD 2301 (replaces this measure)
- Version basis: House docket No. 2301; Bill No. 2974
- Applicable session: 2025-2026 (One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court)
Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to protect bodily integrity and limit government-imposed vaccination requirements related to COVID-19 for public employees and access to public services. It also prohibits the creation or dissemination of standardized documentation used to verify an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status.
Key provisions
1) Protection from forced vaccination
- Prohibits any government entity from compelling an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition for:
- Securing or accessing public facilities, benefits, or services
- Receiving public services from the Commonwealth or any political subdivision (including counties, cities, towns, districts, quasi-public entities)
- Prohibits termination of employees of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision solely for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.
- Rationale emphasized: recognizes a right to bodily integrity and freedom from government compulsion regarding immunization.
2) Prohibition on COVID-19 vaccine passports
- No state or local government officer or employee may issue or establish standardized documentation (e.g., a vaccine passport or vaccine pass) to verify an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status to a third party.
- No publication or sharing of an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination record by public agencies or subdivisions.
- Exception: individuals who have been vaccinated may receive a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card from the administering provider (CDC card) if requested.
3) Effective date
- The act takes effect upon passage.
Who is affected
- Public employees and job applicants within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its political subdivisions (counties, cities, towns, districts, and quasi-public entities).
- State and local agencies that issue or manage vaccination documentation or access to public services.
Implementation and potential impact
- Administrative: Agencies would need to adjust policies to avoid vaccination-based exemptions or employment terminations for non-vaccination; prevent issuance or mandated use of any vaccination passport systems.
- Privacy and civil liberties: Strengthens protections against government collection and sharing of vaccination records via passports or status verification.
- Public health policy: Could limit the use of vaccination status as a criterion for access to services or employment within public sectors.
- Penalties and enforcement: The bill text provided does not specify penalties; enforcement mechanisms are not detailed in the summary.
Notes
- This measure mirrors prior related proposals (e.g., similar matter in 2023-2024 session) and currently exists in a package with related HD 2301.
- The bill would apply broadly to public employment and access, potentially affecting public-facing government operations and hiring practices.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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