b. Prohibits any student or other individual who has not submitted "acceptable evidence" of vaccination against COVID-19 to the Commissioner of Health from being enrolled or retained on an in-person basis. This prohibition includes employees and anyone utilizing in-person services at or through a public or private institution of higher education in the State.

c. Requires the Commissioner of Health to require each institution of higher education to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to all staff, students, and in-person contract workers through the institution's health services program or a contract agreement with a community health care provider.

d. Establishes an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement if an individual or the parent or guardian of an individual under the age of eighteen (18) meets one of the following requirements as summarized:

(1) A licensed physician submits a written statement that the COVID-19 vaccine is contraindicated for a specific period of time for that individual, and the Commissioner of Health determines that those medical reasons are "valid" based on regulations; or 

(2) An individual or the parent of an individual under the age of eighteen (18) submits a written statement explaining why the administration of the vaccine conflicts with the "bona fide religious tenets or practices of the student or individual." "General philosophical" or "moral objections" are not considered an exception on "religious grounds."

e. Excepts individuals who have no in-person presence on the premises of an institution of higher education from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

NVIC OPPOSES A1864 because it violates the basic human right of informed consent, and it limits students, staff, and contract service workers from obtaining in-person access to institutions of higher education for the purpose of education or employment. Refusal to allow any individual access to education or employment based on vaccination status is blatant discrimination. Additionally, establishing that the Commissioner of Health has the authority to dictate regulations that help determine what medical contraindications are valid or to determine whether a religious objection is bona fide in order to obtain an exemption is an assault on the doctor and patient relationship, informed consent, and our constitutional right to freely exercise our freedom of religion. Vaccines are pharmaceutical products that carry a risk of injury and even death and should not be a condition of school attendance or employment. NVIC is opposed to all vaccination mandates.