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New Mississippi Law Bans COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press
April 25, 2022
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — 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.
The ban applies to state agencies, city and county governments and schools, community colleges and universities. COVID-19 vaccination mandates have not been widespread in Mississippi, but some lawmakers said they were acting against the possibility of government overreach.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said Friday that he had signed House Bill 1509, and it became law immediately.
"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 business," Reeves said on Twitter.
Some other Republican-led states have enacted laws or are considering legislation that would ban COVID-19 vaccination mandates. Those efforts have largely been motivated by opposition to the Biden administration's earlier attempts to require vaccinations or testing by some employers, health care providers and federal contractors.
The Mississippi law specifies COVID-19 vaccinations cannot be required for children to attend school or day care. It does not change Mississippi's other childhood vaccination requirements, which are some of most stringent in the nation...
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