Prohibits government entities from requiring COVID-19 Vaccination, except healthcare institutions owned or operated by the state

State: AZ
Bill Number: HB 2498
Position: WATCH
Action Required: None
Status: Enacted, signed by the Governor on 4/25/2022, Chapter 180, effective 9/24/2022

Legislation Details:

UPDATE: 6/25/2022 - The legislature adjourned, so the effective date for HB 2498 is 9/24/2022

UPDATE: 4/26/2022 - HB 2498 was signed by the Governor on 4/25/2022.  Since the bill did not have an emergency clause, it will go into effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns. 

The final, chaptered version enacts the following new law:

ARTICLE 4.2. VACCINATIONS 36-685. Vaccinations; prohibition; exception; definition

A. ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY MAY NOT REQUIRE A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE TO RECEIVE A VACCINATION FOR COVID-19 OR ANY VARIANT OF COVID-19.

B. SUBSECTION A OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A HEALTH CARE INSTITUTION THAT IS OWNED OR OPERATED BY A GOVERNMENT ENTITY IN THIS STATE.

C. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "GOVERNMENT ENTITY" MEANS THIS STATE AND ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE THAT RECEIVES AND USES TAX REVENUES.

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 25, 2022. FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 25, 2022.

UPDATE: 4/18/2022 - HB 2498 passed the Senate in a 16-12-2 vote and was transmitted back to the House.

UPDATE: 3/14/2022 - HB 2498 passed the Senate Government Committee in a 4-3 vote. Please contact your state senator and ask him or her to amend the bill on the senate floor to remove the house amendment which excepted governmental healthcare institutions, and then support the bill. 

UPDATE:  3/9/2022 - HB 2498 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Government Committee on Monday, March 14th at 2:00 PM in Senate Hearing Room 1. Agenda - https://www.azleg.gov/agendas/03140168125.pdf

UPDATE: 2/24/2022 - HB 2498 the House in a 31-28-1 vote, and included an amendment which excepted governmental healthcare institutions from the bill. NVIC Advocacy is opposed to this amendment, and we are changing our position from a "support" to a "watch." 

UPDATE:  2/15/2022 - HB 2498 passed the House Rules Committee and was placed on the House Consent Calendar for 2/14/2022 at 2:00 PM.

UPDATE:  2/12/2022 - HB 2498 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Rules Committee on 2/14/2022 at 1:00 PM in House Hearing Room 4. Agenda - https://www.azleg.gov/agendas/02140104125.pdf

UPDATE: 2/5/2022 - HB 2498 passed the House Government & Elections Committee on 2/2/2022 by a vote of 7 yes and 5 no. 

HB 2498 was referred to the House Government and Elections Committee on 1/24/202.  This bill is sponsored by Representative Hoffman and cosponsored by Reps. Barton, Blackman, Burges, Carroll, Carter, Chaplik, Fillmore, Kaiser, Nguyen, Parker, Pingerelli, Toma and Wilmeth.

Section 1. Title 36, chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 4.2, to read:

ARTICLE 4.2. VACCINATIONS - 36-685. Vaccinations; prohibition; definition

A. ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY MAY NOT REQUIRE A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE TO RECEIVE A VACCINATION FOR COVID-19 OR ANY VARIANT OF COVID-19.

B. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "GOVERNMENT ENTITY" MEANS THIS STATE AND ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE THAT RECEIVES AND USES TAX REVENUES.

https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/2R/bills/HB2498P.htm - text, status and history for HB 2498