Prohibits government entities from requiring children to receive COVID-19 Vaccines without parental consent

State: AZ
Bill Number: HB 2371
Position: SUPPORT
Action Required: None
Status: Enacted, Chapter 263, signed by the Governor on 5/27/2022, effective 9/24/2022

Legislation Details:

UPDATE: 6/25/2022 - The legislature adjourned, so the effective date for HB 2371 is 9/24/2022. 

UPDATE: 5/31/2022 - HB 2371 was signed by the Governor on 5/27/2022 and given Chapter 263. The bill will go into affect 90 days after the legislature adjourns.  The final senate engrossed version adds the following new law:

A. ANY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY MAY NOT REQUIRE A PERSON UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE TO RECEIVE A VACCINATION FOR COVID-19 OR ANY VARIANT OF COVID-19 WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF A PARENT OR GUARDIAN.

B. A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A CLASS 1 MISDEMEANOR.

C. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MAY PROSECUTE ANY VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.

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

UPDATE: 5/26/2022 - HB 2371 passed the full house by a vote of 31 yes, 26 no and 3 not voting and was transmitted to the Governor on 5/26/2022.  Contact the Governor and ask him to sign HB 2371. 

UPDATE: 5/25/2022 - HB 2371 is on the minority caucus calendar for concurrence for 5/25/2022. 

UPDATE: 5/17/2022 - HB 2371 passed the Senate by a vote of 17 yes, 11 no and 2 not voting.  

UPDATE: 5/3/2022 - HB 2371 failed on 3rd reading with a vote of 13 ayes, 13 nays, and 4 not voting. A motion to reconsider the bill succeeded and the bill passed the full Senate as amended. 

HB 2371 as introduced was a bill concerning state agencies and cash payments sponsored by Rep. Bolick.  The bill was amended with a strike everything substitute by the Senate Finance Committee to prohibit government entities from requiring minors receive a COVID-19 Vaccine without the consent of a parent or guardian and provide a penalty.   

The bill was further amended on the Senate floor on 4/6/2022 by Senator Livingston to do the following as described in the Floor Amendment Explanation:

1. Prohibits a governmental entity from requiring a minor to receive a COVID-19 vaccination without the consent of a parent or guardian, rather than enforcing any requirement that a minor receive a COVID-19 vaccination without parental consent.

2. Makes technical and conforming changes.

NVIC Advocacy recommends further amending this bill to prohibit a minor from receiving any vaccination without the consent of a parent or guardian, regardless of what entity is putting the requirement forward.

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76849?SessionId=125 - text, status and history for HB 2371