Texas Advocacy

Welcome to the National Vaccine Information Center Texas State Team page. This page, along with the email updates you will receive, will help keep you informed of what you can do in your state to help you protect and expand your rights to informed consent to vaccination.

Note: You must first register as a NVIC Team Member before you can view action alerts, legislation to watch, and announcements.

Action Needed Now

There are no active action alerts at this time, but please check back soon.

Bills to Watch

The following table lists the active bills of interest for all states.

State Bill Number Date Position Title Status
TX SB 7 2023-11-10 SUPPORT Prohibits employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates and adverse action for refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19; authorizes penalty Status: ENACTED, signed by Governor Greg Abbott on 11/10/2023, effective 2/6/2024

Action: NONE
TX SB 41 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits discrimination & requirements for COVID-19 vaccines in employment, insurance, public accommodation, etc. authorizes administrative penalties Status: Died, failed to have a hearing in 3rd Special Session which ended 11/7/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 65 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits any person from compelling or coercing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, requires informed consent Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for hearing before 3rd Special Session ended on 11/7/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 35 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits any person from compelling or coercing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, requires informed consent Status: Introduced on 11/7/2023 of 4th Special Session

Action: Contact your Representative & Senator, ask to SUPPORT
TX HB 49 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits employer from requiring current/prospective employees to disclose vaccine status, makes vaccine status discrimination an unlawful practice Status: Introduced on 11/7/2023 of the 4th Special Session

Action: Contact your Representative and Senator, ask to SUPPORT
TX HB 84 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits any person from compelling or coercing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, requires informed consent Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for hearing before 3rd Special Session ended on 11/7/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 88 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits any person from compelling or coercing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, requires informed consent Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for hearing before 3rd Special Session ended on 11/7/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 91 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits any person from compelling or coercing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, requires informed consent Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for hearing before 3rd Special Session ended on 11/7/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 7 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates and adverse action for refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19; authorizes penalty Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for hearing before 3rd Special Session ended 11/7/2023, almost identical to SB 7, signed by Governor Abbott on 11/10/223

Action: NONE
TX HB 34 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits private employers from adopting or enforcing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for employees, contractors, or applicants, as passed in 3rd SS's SB 7 Status: Introduced on 11/7/2023 by Representative Brian Harrison in 4th Special Session

Action: Contact your Representative and Senator, ask to SUPPORT
TX HB 16/SB 13 2023-11-07 SUPPORT Prohibits any person from compelling or coercing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, requires informed consent Status: HB 16/SB 13 died, both failed to be scheduled for hearings before 3rd Special Session ended 11/7/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 20 2023-07-27 SUPPORT Prohibits any person from compelling or coercing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, requires informed consent Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before the end of first special session of 2023 on 7/27/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 15 2023-07-13 SUPPORT Prohibits any person from compelling or coercing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, requires informed consent Status: Died, Failed to be scheduled for a hearing before second special ended on 7/13/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 4174/SB 493 2023-06-18 SUPPORT Requires any state veterans benefits be available to members of the US armed forces with less than honorable discharge for refusing COVID vaccine Status: ENACTED, SB 493 signed by Governor Greg Abbott on 6/18/2023, effective 6/18/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 44/SB 303 2023-06-12 WATCH Prohibits Medicaid & CHIP providers from refusing care to a participant based solely on vaccination status except for transplant & cancer patients Status: ENACTED, HB 44 Signed by Governor Greg Abbott on 6/12/2023, Effective 9/1/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 2802/SB 1127 2023-06-11 OPPOSE Changes Medicaid recipient's notifications for vaccine reminders from opt-in to opt-out Status: ENACTED, HB 2802 signed by Governor Greg Abbott on 6/11/2023, Effective 9/1/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 5027/SB 29 2023-06-02 SUPPORT Prohibits governmental entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccines or closing schools or businesses to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Status: ENACTED, SB 29 Signed by Governor Greg Abbott on 6/2/2023, effective 9/1/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 302 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Establishes civil liability to employers for damages if an employee suffers an adverse health event from a vaccine requirement imposed by the employer Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 1015 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Prohibits businesses that require their customers, employees, vendors, or contractors be vaccinated against COVID-19 from receiving state grant money Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 265 2023-05-29 WATCH Requires physicians report serious adverse events from emergency use/experimental vaccines to VAERS, establishes penalty Status: Died, passed Senate on 4/20/2023 by a vote of 27 yes and 2 no, but failed to get a hearing in the House Public Health Committee before 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 172/SB 342 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Eliminates current law that requires written consent before information can be put into and kept in the vaccine tracking system Status: SB 342 Died, Failed to get a hearing before session end 5/29| HB 172 Died, Failed to get a hearing before session end 5/29

Action: NONE
TX HB 81/SB 177 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits any person from compelling or coercing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, requires informed consent Status: SB 177 Died, Failed to pass full House by session end on 5/29/2023 | HB 81 died, failed to pass full House

Action: NONE
TX HB 807 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Removes authority of Health & Human Services Executive Director to require additional vaccines for school, gives that authority to the legislature Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 304 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits vaccine mandates and discrimination based on vaccination or immunity status, provides for penalties Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 298 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Requires VIS & excipient information be given to consenting adult, provides for liability by expanding current law on informed consent to vaccination Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 309 2023-05-29 WATCH Requires the department post information on preventative measures & treatments for COVID, including the benefits & risks associated with vaccination Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 1032 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits COVID-19 vaccine mandates for employment including health care facilities, insurance, education including higher ed., and childcare Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 1419 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Removes emergency exception to college meningitis vaccine mandate exemptions Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 4731 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Authorizes an advanced practice registered nurse to sign a health exception to an immunization requirement for school admission Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 641 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Requires school students to be fully immunized against bacterial meningitis, per the CDC recommendations which includes vaccines and a booster dose Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 3151 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits a health care provider from refusing to provide care based on an individual's vaccination status Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 5129 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Authorizes pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines to adults & children as young as 7 years old Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 3721 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Allows state owned/operated health care facilities to mandate COVID vaccines for employees, prohibits COVID vaccine mandates in state agencies/schools Status: Died, failed to get scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 390 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Repeals current law that allows students who have an exemption to vaccines required for school to be excluded during an emergency or epidemic Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 305 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Requires certain information be given before vaccination, protects practitioners who write medical exemptions & requires acceptance of the exemption Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 4922 / SB 334 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Allows emergency medical service providers & first responder organizations to provide preventive health care services, including vaccination Status: HB 4922 died, passed House 5/12/2023 but no hearing in Senate|SB 334 died, failed to get vote in Senate Local Government Committee on 4/27/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 5261/SB 8 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Protects parental rights in schools including right to refuse medical treatment, be provided information on rights, and get copies of medical info Status: SB 8 died, passed Senate 4/6 but failed to get voted out of House Public Education Committee |HB 5261 failed to get hearing before end of session 5/29

Action: NONE
TX HB 518/SB 77/HB 4001 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Allows child care facilities to provide notice on the percentage of children and employees who are vaccinated Status: Died, HB 518, SB 77 and HB 4001 failed to get scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 307 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits a state agency or political subdivision from enforcing a federally declared public health emergency, creates penalties and enforcement means Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HJR 114/SJR 84 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Allows electors of the State of Texas to vote on a constitutional amendment recognizing the right of an individual to refuse a vaccination Status: Died, HJR 114 and SJR 84 failed to have hearings before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 1025 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits dept and commissioner from adding new vaccines for schools, expands prohibition on vaccine passports, requires dept track adverse events Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 2632 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits food containing mRNA vaccine material from being sold in TX unless conspicuously labeled Status: Died, Failed to pass Full Senate by 5/29/2023, Committee Substitute passed Senate Health and Human Services Committee on 5/18/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 1753 2023-05-29 WATCH Prohibits governmental entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccines with exceptions Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 306 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Provides protections for individuals subject to quarantine & isolation, protects the right of individuals & parents to make medical decisions Status: Died, failed to get scheduled for a hearing by the end of session on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 989/SB 2241 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Requires the health department to develop a plan for preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) among college students Status: DIED, HB 989 failed to be brought up for a vote in the House & SB 2241 failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 3475 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Allows COVID-19 vaccine mandates, exemptions are denied for health care facilities with immunocompromised & medically fragile individuals Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 314 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Requires labeling of certain products, including vaccines, that contain or are derived from aborted human fetal tissue Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 4350 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits health care providers from denying/refusing to provide individual health care based on a person's COVID-19 vaccination or recovery status Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/19/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 308 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits vaccine mandates and discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccination or immunity status, provides for penalties Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 1105/SB 749 2023-05-29 OPPOSE Allows pharmacist to order and administer vaccines to children over 3 and vaccinate children under 3 with physician referral Status: HB 1105 Died, failed to pass conference committee before session ended on 5/29 |SB 749 Died, failed to get hearing before session ended 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 626 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Requires the department provide vaccine exemption affidavit forms electronically, prohibits denying admission if affidavit request has been made Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 1026 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits state government, courts of law, political subdivisions, schools, employers, labor orgs, employment agencies from requiring COVID-19 vaccine Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 297 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Requires hospitals to adopt, implement, and enforce a written policy to ensure the rights of patients to refuse care Status: Died, failed to get scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SJR 66 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Places Constitutional Amendment on the Nov.7, 2023 ballot establishing Right to Refuse Medical Treatment & Access to Public Accommodations Status: Died, filed to get voted out of Senate Health and Human Services Committee before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 1024 2023-05-29 WATCH Prohibits COVID vaccine mandates for school or by local order or ordinance & discrimination by employers based on COVID vaccination status Status: Died, failed to get hearing in House State Affairs Committee before session ended 5/29/2023; passed full Senate on 4/24/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 1177 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Removes authority of Health Department to develop vaccine requirements, allows commissioner to recommend to the legislature additional vaccines Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: None
TX HJR 58 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Allows electors of the State of Texas to vote on a constitutional amendment affirming parental rights including directing children's medical care Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 1313/SB 403 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Requires Univ. of Texas Science Center in Houston in collaboration with the Dept of Health to conduct a study on adverse events to COVID-19 vaccines Status: SB 403 died, it failed to get scheduled for floor vote in House|HB 1313 died, heard House Public Health Comm 3/20 left pending

Action: NONE
TX HB 777 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits a school district or open-enrollment charter from requiring COVID-19 vaccination status documentation Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before the end of session on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 280 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Requires vaccine adverse events be reported to the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) Status: Died, Failed to get a hearing before session end 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 4730 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Prohibits department of health from sharing vaccine information without consent, provides civil penalties for unauthorized data disclosures Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX SB 394 2023-05-29 SUPPORT Requires schools to provide parents all written & electronic records, requires written consent before administering health surveys, or recordings Status: Died, failed to be scheduled for a hearing before session ended on 5/29/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 609 2023-05-24 SUPPORT Protects businesses from liability for injuries and deaths from pandemic diseases when the business doesn't require employee vaccination Status: ENACTED, Signed by Governor Greg Abbott on 5/24/2023, Effective date 9/1/2023

Action: NONE
TX HB 1001/SB 605 2023-03-16 SUPPORT Creates consumer choice option for insurance, eliminates state mandated coverage including for vaccines Status: Died, HB 1001 was left pending in Health Care Reform, SB 605 referred to Senate Health & Human Services Committee, session ended 5/29/2023

Action: NONE

Announcements

The following table lists postings about events, initiatives, people, and pretty much anything related to protecting and expanding your rights!