HB1422: Vaccine Discrimination and Transparency Act; create.

Legislative Summary

An Act To Prohibit Health Coverage Plans From Paying Or Offering To Pay To Any Health Care Provider An Incentive Or Bonus With The Intent To Influence, Persuade Or Encourage The Provider To Administer Any Vaccination; To Prohibit Health Coverage Plans From Denying Or Otherwise Refusing To Reimburse Any Claim For A Covered Health Care Service Submitted By A Health Care Provider Or Impose Any Other Penalty On A Health Care Provider With The Intent To Influence, Persuade Or Encourage The Health Care Provider To Administer Any Vaccination; To Prohibit Any Employer, Health Care Entity, School Or Person From Committing Certain Adverse Actions Based On An Individual's Refusal Of Any Vaccination, Biologic, Pharmaceutical Or Drug If Such Individual's Refusal Is For Reasons Of Conscience; To Provide For Persons Who Suffer Any Direct Or Indirect Injury As A Result Of A Violation The Preceding Provision A Private Cause Of Action For Actual Damages, Injunctive Relief And Any Other Appropriate Relief; To Standardize The Process And Procedure For Obtaining A Medical Exemption From Any Required Vaccinations; To Provide A Standard Form For A Physician, Nurse Practitioner Or Physician's Assistant Who Believes That A Vaccination May Be Detrimental To An Individual's Health To Complete For The Individual; To Prohibit Discrimination On The Basis Of An Individual's Status Of Having A Medical Exemption Provided For In This Act; To Provide That A Physician, Nurse Practitioner Or Physician's Assistant Shall Not Be Subject To Any Disciplinary Action Or Penalty By Any State Or Municipal Agency, Board Or Commission For Issuing A Medical Exemption Form As Provided For In This Act; To Amend Section 41-23-37, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Authorize Parents Or Guardians Of School-age Children To Obtain Certificates Of Exemption From Vaccinations For Conscientious Beliefs In Order For The Child To Attend School; To Provide That In Order To Obtain The Exemption, The Child's Parent Or Guardian Must Complete An Affidavit On An Exemption Form Provided By The State Department Of Health; To Provide That The Exemption Form Must Contain A Statement Indicating That The Parent Or Guardian Understands The Benefits And Risks Of Vaccinations And The Benefits And Risks Of Not Being Vaccinated, And Must Contain A Section Where The Parent Or Guardian Can List The Specific Vaccination Or Vaccinations For Which The Exemption Applies; To Provide That The Exemption Will Be Valid For One Year; To Bring Forward Section 41-23-43, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Provides A Vaccination Program For First Responders; Sections 41-23-49 And 41-23-51, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Prohibit State And Local Governmental Entities From Discriminating Against Persons Based On Covid-19 Vaccination Status, And Sections 41-107-3, 41-107-5, 41-107-7 And 41-107-9, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Are Part Of The Health Care Rights Of Conscience Act, For The Purpose Of Possible Amendment; And For Related Purposes.