ARIZONA

In Arizona, HB2086 was signed by the Governor on May 20. This new law explicitly excludes both COVID-19 and human papillomavirus vaccines from those required for primary school attendance. This important law will protect many youths from these two controversial immunizations.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Up in New Hampshire, also on May 20, the Governor signed three new laws protecting the right to refuse: HB1003, HB1035, and HB1488. HB1003 creates a Patients’ Bill of Rights which succinctly states that a “patient shall not be denied admission, care, or services based solely on the patient’s vaccination status.” Under HB1035, parents who have a religious objection to primary school vaccines no longer have to notarize the form recording this objection. And HB1488 adds schools, child-care agencies, and government health agencies to the law banning discrimination based on a decision not to participate in the state’s immunization registry. Prior to HB1488, only health care providers were covered by this anti-discrimination law. These three bills are examples of the range of actions being taken around the nation to protect health freedom.

Notably, while many states have ended their legislative sessions, others are still in session and considering various Right-to-Refuse laws to protect the public. NHFC and NHFA will continue to keep you updated on these critical new laws.