Senate Bill 2874

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINATION OF MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS BY THE STATE, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OR AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Medical Freedom Act.

(2) Scope. This act relates to limitations on COVID-19 vaccine requirements.

(3) Findings and declarations. The Legislature finds and declares that:

(a) Every resident in this state has the inalienable right to bodily integrity and should be free from any threat or compulsion that the individual must receive a vaccination;

(b) An individual who exercises the right not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine shall not be denied any right or privilege of citizenship; and

(c) Currently, this state allows for medical and religious exemptions for immunizations and these rights should be extended to all Mississippi residents who decline to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

(4) Prohibitions. The following prohibitions shall apply:

(a) The State of Mississippi or a political subdivision of the state, or an agent thereof, shall not mandate that any individual in this state receive a COVID-19 vaccination;

(b) A state agency or political subdivision shall not enact or issue a rule, ordinance, order or any similar policy that would result in an individual being required to submit to a COVID-19 vaccination;

(c) A state agency or political subdivision, or an agent thereof, shall not take any action which would result in an individual being required to submit to a vaccination, including as a condition of employment, access to education, the ability to travel, entry to a public place or contracting with a state agency or political subdivision;

(d) A vaccination offered by the state as part of a mass vaccination effort may only be provided to individuals who consent to receiving the vaccination, without coercion, after receiving full information of all known ingredients, risks and benefits prior to the vaccination;

(e) Employers shall not take any adverse employment action against an individual who declines to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, including, but not limited to, termination, suspension, involuntary reassignment, unpaid leave, demotion, harassment or coercion. If an employer violates the provisions of this paragraph, the aggrieved employee shall have the right to apply for and receive unemployment benefits;

(f) An individual shall not be discriminated against, denied entrance to or service from any establishment, denied the ability to purchase goods or receive medical care or to participate in any public organization for refusal to accept a COVID-19 vaccination; and

(g) A citizen shall not be forced or coerced to sign a COVID-19 vaccination declination waiver that is condemning, self-incriminating or does not accurately express the citizen's beliefs.

(5) Notice. If the state or a political subdivision, or an agent thereof, recommends an individual receive a COVID-19 vaccination, the official or entity shall provide notice that the recommendation is not mandatory in each oral or written statement made.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.