Arkansas governor signs bills banning vaccine requirements
3 years, 8 months ago

Arkansas governor signs bills banning vaccine requirements

Associated Press  

Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday signed into law measures preventing state and local governments from requiring the coronavirus vaccine or proof of vaccination in order to access services. “These bills confirm my position that there should not be a COVID-19 vaccine requirement as a condition of employment in state government,” Hutchinson said in a statement. “It does make certain exemptions and it specifically exempts private businesses so they can make their own decision.” The Republican governor has not taken action yet on another bill sitting on his desk that would prohibit state or local governments from imposing mask mandates. Hutchinson last month lifted the state’s mask mandate, but cities such as Fayetteville and Little Rock have been allowed to keep theirs in place.

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History of this topic

Youngkin, Gilbert oppose adding COVID vaccines to state list
2 years, 2 months ago

Youngkin, Gilbert oppose adding COVID vaccines to state list

Associated Press  

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Republican elected leaders said this week they will oppose any legislative effort to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the state’s list of required immunizations. Virginia Department of Health spokesperson Maria Reppas said in an email to AP earlier in the week that there “is no direct, immediate impact on COVID-19 vaccine being added to the Immunization …

COVID-19 vaccine mandates axed for most WA workers as businesses pick up the pieces
2 years, 7 months ago

COVID-19 vaccine mandates axed for most WA workers as businesses pick up the pieces

ABC  

Less than six months after WA's workplace vaccine mandates started applying to her business, Loren McMath is in two minds over their removal today. According to WA's Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson, that meant there was "little additional benefit to continuing to apply a vaccination mandate beyond a few workforces". "The workforce vaccination mandates have undoubtedly made a significant contribution …

Politics and pandemic fatigue derail California’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates
2 years, 7 months ago

Politics and pandemic fatigue derail California’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates

LA Times  

In January, progressive California Democrats vowed to adopt the toughest COVID-19 vaccine requirements in the country. Now, even as case rates start to balloon again, the window of opportunity to adopt COVID-19 vaccine mandates may have closed, said Hemi Tewarson, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy. And legislation is just not being enacted.” California One of …

Louisiana bill would ban requiring vaccination proof to enter civic facilities
2 years, 7 months ago

Louisiana bill would ban requiring vaccination proof to enter civic facilities

LA Times  

Cards showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination are stacked up at a hospital. A bill in the Louisiana Legislature would prevent local governments and other authorities from requiring proof of vaccination to enter public buildings. State and local governments and educational institutions in Louisiana could not require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to gain entry into government facilities under legislation advanced …

Arizona governor OK’s ban on school COVID-19 vaccines
2 years, 7 months ago

Arizona governor OK’s ban on school COVID-19 vaccines

Associated Press  

PHOENIX — Arizona’s Republican governor has signed legislation that will prevent state health officials from ever adding a COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required school inoculations and bar face mask mandates in any buildings operated by state or local governments. One would bar schools from requiring students to don masks unless their parents gave their explicit OK and another …

New Mississippi law bans COVID-19 vaccine mandates
2 years, 8 months ago

New Mississippi law bans COVID-19 vaccine mandates

Associated Press  

— Mississippi is enacting a new law that says state and local government agencies cannot withhold services or refuse jobs to people who choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “Government shouldn’t be in the business of forcing Americans to choose between the COVID-19 vaccine & putting food on their tables, sending their kids to school, or visiting a small …

One of the most far-reaching vaccine mandate bills in California will not move forward
2 years, 9 months ago

One of the most far-reaching vaccine mandate bills in California will not move forward

LA Times  

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks said Tuesday that she would hold Assembly Bill 1993, which would have required employees and independent contractors to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they obtained an exemption. Citing improved pandemic conditions and opposition from public safety unions, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks said she would hold Assembly Bill 1993, which would have required employees and independent contractors, in both …

Montana Republicans seek leniency on vaccine mandates
2 years, 11 months ago

Montana Republicans seek leniency on vaccine mandates

Associated Press  

— Montana’s governor and its two Republican members of Congress are asking the Biden administration to grant exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate to federally funded health care facilities where losing unvaccinated staff might jeopardize access to medical care. “Like many states across the nation, Montana is already facing labor shortages, especially in the healthcare industry, which severely threaten patient …

States challenge Biden’s vaccine mandate for health workers
3 years, 2 months ago

States challenge Biden’s vaccine mandate for health workers

Associated Press  

— A coalition of 10 states sued the federal government on Wednesday to try to block a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers, marking a new front in the resistance by Republican-led states to the pandemic policies of President Joe Biden’s administration. The lawsuit filed in a federal court in Missouri contends that the vaccine requirement threatens the jobs …

Iowa governor signs vaccine mandate exemption bill into law
3 years, 2 months ago

Iowa governor signs vaccine mandate exemption bill into law

Associated Press  

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday signed into law a bill that allows Iowa workers to seek medical and religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates and guarantees that those who are fired for refusing a vaccine will qualify for unemployment benefits. Reynolds signed the bill a day after the Iowa Legislature passed it in a one-day …

Republican governors see approval ratings plummet after fight against vaccine requirements
3 years, 2 months ago

Republican governors see approval ratings plummet after fight against vaccine requirements

Salon  

Some Republican MAGA governors have not only been slamming President Joe Biden for his vaccine/COVID-19 testing mandate — they have also been forbidding school districts or private businesses from having vaccine or mask requirements for their adult employees. That type of thing plays well with the MAGA crowd, but in Politico, reporter Lisa Kashinsky stresses that some GOP governors are …

Arkansas governor OKs bill allowing vaccine mandate opt-outs
3 years, 3 months ago

Arkansas governor OKs bill allowing vaccine mandate opt-outs

Associated Press  

Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday effectively approved a new law that will allow employees to opt-out of COVID-19 vaccine requirements, a move by fellow Republicans to challenge federal vaccine mandates. The bill came primarily in response to President Joe Biden’s order that businesses with more than 100 employees require workers to get vaccinated or tested weekly. “The solution is not to …

Arkansas Senate OKs vaccine exemption process for employers
3 years, 3 months ago

Arkansas Senate OKs vaccine exemption process for employers

Associated Press  

— The Arkansas Senate has advanced a measure that would require an exemption process for workers who face a COVID-19 vaccine mandate from their employers. The measure from Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, says any employer that mandates the vaccine must also offer an exemption process that includes testing or proof of antibodies. Republican lawmakers have filed numerous bills targeting vaccine …

Arkansas bill creates antibody exemption for vaccine mandate
3 years, 3 months ago

Arkansas bill creates antibody exemption for vaccine mandate

Associated Press  

— Arkansas lawmakers on Wednesday advanced legislation that would allow workers to opt out of their employer’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement if they’re tested weekly or can prove they have natural antibodies. The House and Senate Public Health committees endorsed identical versions of the bill, which also would require the state to pay unemployment benefits to workers who are fired for …

State workers seek exemptions to Washington vaccine mandate
3 years, 4 months ago

State workers seek exemptions to Washington vaccine mandate

Associated Press  

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Nearly 4,800 state workers are seeking an exemption to Washington Gov. The Seattle Times reported Tuesday that the requests for a medical or religious opt-out from the vaccine requirement has come from workers at 24 different state agencies. In August, the governor ordered state workers, school workers and some health-care employees to be vaccinated, without a regular …

Montana only state to ban vaccine requirements for employees
3 years, 4 months ago

Montana only state to ban vaccine requirements for employees

Associated Press  

— While many large companies across the U.S. have announced that COVID-19 vaccines will be required for their employees to return to work in-person, there is one state where such requirements are banned: Montana. Under a new law passed by the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature earlier this year, requiring vaccines as a condition for employment is deemed “discrimination” and a violation …

Arkansas judge blocks state from enforcing mask mandate ban
3 years, 5 months ago

Arkansas judge blocks state from enforcing mask mandate ban

Associated Press  

— An Arkansas judge on Friday temporarily blocked the state from enforcing its ban on mask mandates after lawmakers left the prohibition in place despite a rising number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The Marion School District, which joined with Little Rock’s schools in challenging the ban, on Friday said 949 staff and students have had to quarantine since classes …

Governor: Most state workers must be vaccinated or tested
3 years, 5 months ago

Governor: Most state workers must be vaccinated or tested

Associated Press  

RICHMOND, Va. — Most of Virginia’s state workers will have to be vaccinated or agree to regular COVID-19 testing, under a new requirement Gov. The directive won’t apply to legislative or judicial branch workers or workers in K-12 schools, though Yarmosky said the governor is encouraging local governments to follow his lead. During the news conference, the governor also addressed …

Maryland governor: ‘Just get the damn vaccine’
3 years, 5 months ago

Maryland governor: ‘Just get the damn vaccine’

Associated Press  

— Urging people to “just get the damn vaccine,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced new vaccination requirements for state employees who work in congregant settings with the vulnerable on Thursday — or else face strict face-covering requirements and regular COVID-19 testing. “The state will lead by example with our own employees who are working in congregant facilities, but today we …

Arkansas reports 42 new virus deaths, hospitalizations spike
3 years, 5 months ago

Arkansas reports 42 new virus deaths, hospitalizations spike

Associated Press  

— Arkansas reported 42 new COVID-19 deaths Monday and its biggest one-day spike in coronavirus hospitalizations since the pandemic began. State Rep. Les Eaves told House Speaker Matthew Shepherd over the weekend that he tested positive for COVID-19, House spokeswoman Cecillea Pond-Mayo said. “No telling how bad it would have been without the vaccine.” Eaves is among more than two …

Some States Are Working To Prevent COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
3 years, 5 months ago

Some States Are Working To Prevent COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

NPR  

Some States Are Working To Prevent COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Enlarge this image toggle caption Liz Sanders/Bloomberg via Getty Images Liz Sanders/Bloomberg via Getty Images As COVID-19 cases surge, the federal government and some private employers are requiring their workers to show proof of vaccination. Notably: As of late last week, 9 states have enacted 11 laws with prohibitions on vaccine …

Arkansas virus hospitalizations surpass 1,000, cases spike
3 years, 5 months ago

Arkansas virus hospitalizations surpass 1,000, cases spike

Associated Press  

— Arkansas reported more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases Tuesday and its hospitalizations surpassed 1,000 as Gov. “In the coming days, I will be evaluating options for legislative changes to Act 1002 that will give our schools more local control on meeting the health needs of the students as we enter a new school year in the face of the …

Covid US: New Hampshire 'medical freedom' bill BANS state-run facilities from requiring vaccines
3 years, 5 months ago

Covid US: New Hampshire 'medical freedom' bill BANS state-run facilities from requiring vaccines

Daily Mail  

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has signed a bill into law saying residents can't be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access public facilities, benefits or services. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has signed a bill into law saying residents can't be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access public facilities As well, it …

Federal law doesn’t prohibit Covid-19 vaccine requirements, Justice Department says
3 years, 5 months ago

Federal law doesn’t prohibit Covid-19 vaccine requirements, Justice Department says

CNN  

CNN — Justice Department lawyers have determined that federal law doesn’t prohibit public agencies and private businesses from requiring Covid-19 vaccines – even if the vaccines have only emergency use authorization, according to an opinion posted online Monday. In recent weeks, Justice Department officials have been weighing requests from private businesses and federal agencies seeking legal backing for policies aimed …

Arkansas’ governor defends decision to approve a statewide ban on mask mandates
3 years, 5 months ago

Arkansas’ governor defends decision to approve a statewide ban on mask mandates

CNN  

Washington CNN — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Sunday defended his decision to approve a statewide ban on face mask mandates earlier this year, citing a low coronavirus case rate at the time – a rate that is now rapidly rising. They were capable of making their decisions,” Hutchinson, a Republican, told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” …

Arkansas governor: Virus emergency declaration to end
3 years, 7 months ago

Arkansas governor: Virus emergency declaration to end

Associated Press  

Asa Hutchinson on Thursday said he won’t seek another extension of the emergency he declared because of the coronavirus pandemic, allowing it to expire at the end of the month. “The public health concerns remain, and everyone in Arkansas needs to continue to take the virus seriously and to act accordingly,” Hutchinson said at a news conference. “The fact that …

Arkansas session marked by culture wars, coronavirus fights
3 years, 8 months ago

Arkansas session marked by culture wars, coronavirus fights

Associated Press  

— The 108-day Arkansas legislative session that wrapped up last week was dominated by culture war issues and the coronavirus pandemic, but lawmakers took up a long list of other items, including voting law changes, an increase in teacher salaries and tax cuts. TAX CUTS AND BUDGET The $5.8 billion budget lawmakers adopted for the coming year includes increases in …

Arkansas governor OKs ban on local, state mask mandates
3 years, 8 months ago

Arkansas governor OKs ban on local, state mask mandates

Associated Press  

Asa Hutchinson signed into law Thursday legislation to ban state or local mask mandates for preventing the spread of the coronavirus, even though the prohibition will not take effect until later this summer. Hutchinson last month dropped the state’s mandate, but cities including Fayetteville and Little Rock were allowed to keep their requirements in place. Hutchinson Wednesday signed bills prohibiting …

Montana lawmakers approve governor’s changes to vaccine bill
3 years, 8 months ago

Montana lawmakers approve governor’s changes to vaccine bill

Associated Press  

— Montana lawmakers have approved amendments proposed by Gov. The Montana Hospital Association and other health care organizations argued that the bill could leave them unable to screen potential employees and would prohibit them from requiring vaccines of employees who have direct contact with patients and the public. Gianforte’s amendment also said that nursing homes, long-term care facilities and assisted …

Arkansas governor to sign bill nullifying gun restrictions
3 years, 8 months ago

Arkansas governor to sign bill nullifying gun restrictions

Associated Press  

Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday that he’ll sign a bill that would bar state and local law officers from helping enforce new and future federal gun restrictions — a move critics say would be unconstitutional and create confusion about which gun limits the state does recognize. The new legislation, which is a scaled back version of a bill Hutchinson vetoed, declares …

Tennessee governor declares that Covid-19 is no longer a health emergency with only 25% of state’s residents fully vaccinated
3 years, 8 months ago

Tennessee governor declares that Covid-19 is no longer a health emergency with only 25% of state’s residents fully vaccinated

CNN  

CNN — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signaled Tuesday that he will not renew any public health orders, saying “Covid-19 is no longer a health emergency in our state,” though only 25% of the state’s population is fully vaccinated. Leetweeted he is removing the authority from local officials to issue mask mandates in Tennessee’s 89 counties that don’t have independent health …

Arkansas marks 1 million people receiving vaccine shots
3 years, 8 months ago

Arkansas marks 1 million people receiving vaccine shots

Associated Press  

— Arkansas on Thursday marked 1 million people who have received coronavirus vaccine shots in the state so far, though the governor acknowledged more needs to be done to increase demand. Asa Hutchinson was on hand as health officials administered a shot to Sheryl Moore, a student from Shorter College, which the governor said represents an age group the state …

Arkansas reports 352 new coronavirus cases, 2 more deaths
3 years, 8 months ago

Arkansas reports 352 new coronavirus cases, 2 more deaths

Associated Press  

— Arkansas on Wednesday reported its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases in more than a month and two more deaths from the illness caused by the virus. The Department of Health said the state’s virus cases rose by 352 to 334,061 total since the pandemic began. Asa Hutchinson called the increase in cases “a serious reminder of the importance …

Arkansas health secretary confirmed despite virus pushback
3 years, 9 months ago

Arkansas health secretary confirmed despite virus pushback

Associated Press  

— Arkansas’ top health official was confirmed by the state Senate on Thursday despite pushback from some Republican lawmakers over the state’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Romero faced a rare confirmation fight, with critics opposing him over the state’s restrictions and over his position on hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug touted by former President Donald Trump as an effective treatment …

Arkansas expands virus vaccinations, drops mask mandate
3 years, 9 months ago

Arkansas expands virus vaccinations, drops mask mandate

Associated Press  

— Arkansas will open up coronavirus vaccinations to anyone 16 and older, and is dropping its mask mandate immediately, Gov. Hutchinson last month lifted most of the state’s virus restrictions, including restaurant and bar capacity limits, and had said the mask mandate would expire at the end of March if the state met goals for test positivity and hospitalizations. The …

Arkansas governor signs near-total abortion ban into law
3 years, 10 months ago

Arkansas governor signs near-total abortion ban into law

Associated Press  

Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday signed into law legislation banning nearly all abortions in the state, a sweeping measure that supporters hope will force the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit its landmark Roe v. Wade decision but opponents vow to block before it takes effect later this year. Hutchinson said he was signing the bill because of its “overwhelming legislative support …

Arkansas lawmakers send governor near-total abortion ban
3 years, 10 months ago

Arkansas lawmakers send governor near-total abortion ban

Associated Press  

— Arkansas lawmakers on Wednesday approved legislation banning nearly all abortions, sending the bill to a Republican governor who has expressed reservations about the move. Another sweeping abortion ban was signed into law by South Carolina’s governor last month but was quickly blocked by a federal judge due to a legal challenge by Planned Parenthood. Asa Hutchinson, who has approved …

Arkansas governor rejects virus panel’s call to close bars
4 years, 4 months ago

Arkansas governor rejects virus panel’s call to close bars

Associated Press  

Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday rejected a White House task force’s recommendation that Arkansas close bars and implement other restrictions, despite the state posting the 9th highest rate of positive coronavirus tests in the country. The state, however, remained in the “red zone” in another area, reporting more than 100 new cases per 100,000 population last week. “That’s a word of …

States Move To Restrict Parents' Refusal To Vaccinate Their Kids
5 years, 10 months ago

States Move To Restrict Parents' Refusal To Vaccinate Their Kids

NPR  

States Move To Restrict Parents' Refusal To Vaccinate Their Kids Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtney Perry/The Washington Post/Getty Images Courtney Perry/The Washington Post/Getty Images All U.S. states require most parents to vaccinate their children against some preventable diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella and whooping cough, to be able to attend school. Sponsor Message But this winter's outbreaks of measles …

Arkansas governor signs ‘triggered’ abortion ban into law
5 years, 10 months ago

Arkansas governor signs ‘triggered’ abortion ban into law

Associated Press  

— Arkansas’ governor has signed into law a measure that would ban abortion in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark 1973 ruling legalizing the procedure nationwide. Asa Hutchinson’s office says the Republican on Tuesday signed the legislation, making Arkansas the fifth state with a “trigger” abortion ban on the books. The proposal would ban all abortions, …

Arkansas lawmakers send governor ‘triggered’ abortion ban
5 years, 11 months ago

Arkansas lawmakers send governor ‘triggered’ abortion ban

Associated Press  

— Arkansas lawmakers sent Gov. Asa Hutchinson legislation Thursday that would ban abortions in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark 1973 ruling legalizing the procedure nationwide. The majority-Republican House on Thursday approved by a 72-20 vote the proposal to ban all abortions, except for medical emergencies, if the nation’s highest court overturns the Roe v. Wade …

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