2022 -- H 7321

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LC004322

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - COVID-19 VACCINATION NOT REQUIRED

FOR ACCESS TO STATE OR PRIVATE BUSINESSES ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Place, Chippendale, Quattrocchi, and Price

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2022

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 97

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COVID-19 VACCINATION NOT REQUIRED FOR ACCESS TO STATE OR PRIVATE

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BUSINESSES ACT

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     23-97-1. Findings.

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     The general assembly finds:

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     (1) That on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization designated the novel

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coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.

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     (2) On March 9, 2020, the governor of the State of Rhode Island issued a declaration of

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emergency and over the course of several months issued numerous continuations of that declaration

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of emergency.

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     (3) The declaration of emergency ordered the closure of businesses, parks, and even private

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businesses, with the result of restricting the populace's freedoms.

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     (4) The legislature finds that the re-opening of businesses is vital to the state's economy

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and that access to said businesses, and public buildings, is paramount to a free society and the re-

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normalization of human interaction.

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     (5) The legislature further finds that every citizen of the State of Rhode Island is protected

 

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and has the right to confidentiality of their health care records pursuant to chapter 37.3 of title 5.

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     (6) Additionally, each and every citizen is protected by the United States Constitution and

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the Constitution of Rhode Island to make their own health care decisions. Decisions that have been

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upheld and reaffirmed by our United States Supreme Court and the supreme court of the State of

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Rhode Island.

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     23-97-2. Access to public buildings and private enterprises not to be denied.

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     (a) Neither the state, nor any of its agencies, nor any city or town or any political

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subdivisions, nor any organization that receives funding, tax incentives or subsidies from the state,

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its agencies or political subdivisions, shall require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination before

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allowing entry of any individual into their building, business, or on their premises, whether inside

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or outside, or for any other purpose unless such requirements for other vaccines were in common

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practice prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the vaccine has received full approval for use from

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the FDA.

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     (b) The director of the department of business regulation and the licensing authorities of

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the several cities and towns are hereby authorized to deny or revoke any business operating license

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to any business violating this chapter.

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     (c) Nothing contained herein prevents a person denied access to any public building or

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private business covered under this section from seeking civil damages and injunctive relief against

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any public or private business that violates this chapter.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - COVID-19 VACCINATION NOT REQUIRED

FOR ACCESS TO STATE OR PRIVATE BUSINESSES ACT

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     This act would prohibit state, municipal agencies and any political subdivisions thereof and

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private businesses from requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccine before permitting any individual

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from entering the building or business unless that business precluded access due to other vaccines

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in common practice prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and such vaccines have received approval

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for use from the FDA. Licensing authorities would be permitted to deny and/or revoke business

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operating licenses of violators.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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