Vaccine passports: 50 states with bans, limitations & green lights

Jackie Drees-

As the nation continues its COVID-19 vaccination rollout, discussion over the potential use of digital proof of coronavirus vaccination, known as "vaccine passports," has left many concerned about their health privacy.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said April 6 that the federal government is "not now nor will be supporting a system that requires Americans to carry a credential" and that "there will be no federal vaccinations database and no federal mandate requiring everyone to obtain a single vaccination credential," according toThe New York Times.

Here are the 50 states that have pledged support for vaccine passports or opposition to the tech, listed in alphabetical order.

Editor's note: This article was updated July 1.

1.AlabamaGov. Kay Ivey signed a bill May 24 that prevents state government entities from issuing vaccine passports and blocks businesses from requiring such documentation in exchange for services,CNNreported.

2.AlaskaGov. Mike Dunleavy issued an executive order preventing the state's government from requiring vaccine passports for travel,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

3.ArizonaGov. Doug Duceyissuedan executive order April 19 to prohibit all state and local governments from requiring people to prove their COVID-19 vaccination status to receive services or enter an area. The ban however does not apply to private businesses and healthcare institutions.

4.ArkansasGov. Asa Hutchinson signed off on a law that prevents state and local governments from requiring COVID-19 vaccine or proof of vaccination in order to receive services,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

5.Californiais not pursuing a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine passport requirement but will work with the private sector to monitor the development of any passports mandated for businesses such as sports teams or event venues,Los Angeles Magazinereported April 26.

6.Coloradodoes not require vaccine passports, but state health department officials in April said they may explore adopting the concept,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

7.Connecticutis still up in the air regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccine passports, despite Gov. Ned Lamont's claims that the state would begin conversations on the topic once vaccinations open to everyone. Vaccination eligibility opened to all residents 16 and older April 1. In March, Mr. Lamont said he does expect "some type of passport or validation … probably led by the private sector, according to a May 5耶鲁每日新闻report.

8.DelawareGov. John Carney said the state will not pursue vaccine passports,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

9. On April 2,FloridaGov. Ron DeSantissignedan executive order prohibiting the use of COVID-19 vaccine passports in the state, citing privacy concerns and freedom as the main reasons for the ban.

10.GeorgiaGov. Brian Kemptweetedhis opposition April 6 to "any kind of state-mandated" vaccine passport, writing that "While the development of multiple safe, highly effective COVID-19 vaccines has been a scientific miracle, the decision to receive the vaccine should be left up to each individual."

11.HawaiiGov. David Ige said April 5 that the state is testing the tech needed to support a vaccine passport, but that it won't be ready for another four weeks or so, according to theHonolulu Star-Advertiser.On April 20, Mr. Igetweetedthat the state will launch a vaccination verification program May 11 to support inter-county travel.

12.Idahobannedany state and government entities from requiring vaccine passports for residents to receive public services or access facilities, Gov. Brad Little said in an April 7 statement.

13.IllinoisGov. J.B. Pritzker said he thinks a vaccination app would be useful but should not be mandatory to enter any event or facilities, stressing that the tech would be offered as a personal choice, according to a March 24Center Squarereport.

14.印第安纳州enacted a law that prevents state and local government units from creating or mandating a vaccination card or passport, according to a May 24Fox 59report.

15.IowaGov. Kim Reynolds pledged on April 7 that the state will oppose vaccine passports legislatively or on an executive level as she believes the tech violates personal choice, privacy and HIPAA, according to localCBSaffiliateKMTV.

16.Kansaslawmakers on May 8 approved a proposal that includes a ban on vaccine passports, but the legislation has not yet been enacted,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

17.Kentuckydoes not require vaccine passports, but Rep. Brandon Reed is writing a bill that would ban the government from enforcing them,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

18.Louisianahas not yet decided on any vaccine passport programs in the state, with Gov. John Bel Edwards referring to it being "a little early in the process to know how these kinds of vaccine verifications would actually work," according to an April 7 localNBCaffiliateWDSUreport.

19.Maineis not planning on creating a statewide vaccine passport system, but residents are encouraged to carry their immunization card if they need it,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

20.Marylanddoes not require vaccine passports and currently does not have legislation addressing them,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

21.Massachusettshas not banned the use of vaccine passports, but Gov. Charlie Baker said in April that he opposes the technology,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

22.Michigan's House of Representatives passed a bill June 2 banning vaccine passports,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

23.Minnesota's Senate passed a bill in May that prevents people from being required to "possess, wear or display any indicator" that they received a specific test result or have antibodies for communicable diseases,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

24.MississippiGov. Tate Reeves in April said he doesn't support vaccine passports, and the state is not pursuing the technology,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

25.Missouri's House and Senate approved a bill in May that bans vaccine passports, but Gov. Mike Parson has not yet approved or vetoed the legislation,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

26.MontanaGov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order April 13 prohibiting the use of vaccine passports, heannouncedon Twitter.

27.Nebraskawill notparticipate in any vaccine passport initiatives, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced March 31, claiming the tech is a violation of "two central tenets of the American system: freedom of movement and healthcare privacy."

28.Nevadahas not banned the use of vaccine passports, but they are not required within the state,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

29.New Hampshirecurrently is not developing or requiring vaccine passports,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

30.New Jerseydoes not plan to launch a statewide vaccine passport system, but Gov. Phil Murphy said he is open to the idea if the state follows federal guidelines,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

31.New Mexicodoes not have any vaccine passport requirements and has no plans to develop a system,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

32. In March,New York成为了first state tolauncha COVID-19 vaccine passport, dubbed Excelsior Pass. The digital platform is free and voluntary for New Yorkers to confirm recent negative PCR or antigen test results as well as proof of vaccination.

33.North CarolinaGov. Roy Cooper at the end of March said his administration is exploring the development of a vaccine passport for residents, according to an April 21North State Journalreport.

34.North Dakota国会通过了一项禁止疫苗有限的护照s in April; the ban prevents state and local governments from requiring proof documents and prevents businesses from requiring vaccination documents for access, entry or services,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

35.OhioHealth Director Stephanie McCloud on May 17 toldSpectrum Newsthat the state will not implement digital vaccine passports. She said Ohio is not working with any private individuals on any type of passport whatsoever, including digital.

36.OklahomaGov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order May 28 banning state agencies from requiring vaccinations as a condition of entry to public facilities,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

37.Oregondoes not require vaccine passports,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

38.Pennsylvania参议员在5月6日woul立法d ban the state from requiring COVID-19 vaccine passports,Fox 43reports. Gov. Tom Wolf's administration has previously said it would not require vaccine passports.

39.Rhode IslandGov. Dan McKee in May said he would leave it up to business owners and employers to choose masking and vaccination requirements for their businesses,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

40.South CarolinaGov. Henry McMaster issued a COVID-19 mandate May 11 that bans the use of vaccine passports across the state and prevents schools and governments from creating mask mandates, according toNPR.

41.South DakotaGov. Kristi Noem issued an executive order in April banning the use or development of vaccine passports,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

42.TennesseeGov. Bill Lee also took to Twitter April 6 to vocalize his opposition of the tech,writingthat he believes the "COVID-19 vaccine should be a personal health choice, not a government requirement."

43.Texasalsoinstituteda ban on COVID-19 passports April 5, which prevents the state and some businesses from requiring passports of customers to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

44.Utahpassed a law in April that blocks the state government from requiring people to get the COVID-19 vaccine and use vaccine passports, according to an April 6Salt Lake Tribunereport.

45.Vermont's House of Representatives introduced a bill to ban vaccine passports in May,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

46.VirginiaGov. Ralph Northam in May said he has no plans to use vaccine passports in the state,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

47.Washingtonstate Rep. Jim Walsh drafted legislation in April to prohibit vaccine passports,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

48.West VirginiaGov. Jim Justice has not prohibited proof-of-vaccination requirements at any level of government,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

49.Wisconsinhas not banned the use of vaccine passports, but a series of bills were introduced in April to prohibit use of the technology,MIT Technology Reviewreported.

50.WyomingGov. Mark Gordon barred state officials from requiring residents to have COVID-19 vaccine passports, according to a May 9Buckrailreport.

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