Federal

Ending COVID Vaccine Mandates for Colleges and Universities Act

Source: Congress.gov · 342 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill changes the Higher Education Act of 1965 to stop colleges and universities from requiring COVID-19 vaccines. Colleges that impose a COVID-19 vaccine mandate (a requirement that people get a vaccine to attend or work there) lose their ability to receive federal money or participate in federal education programs.

Who It Affects

Colleges and universities that have COVID-19 vaccine mandates lose federal funding and program participation. Students and employees at those institutions may be affected if they want to attend or work at schools that receive federal funds.

Key Provisions

• Colleges that impose a COVID-19 vaccine mandate cannot receive federal funds or participate in federal education programs while the mandate is in effect. (Sec. 124(a)) • The bill defines "COVID-19 vaccine mandate" as any requirement that someone get a vaccine intended to prevent or reduce COVID-19 in order to attend, enroll in or work at a college or university. (Sec. 124(b))

What Changes

Colleges that currently have COVID-19 vaccine requirements would become ineligible for federal funding and federal program participation if this law passes. The loss of eligibility continues only while the mandate stays in effect.

Important Definitions

"COVID-19 vaccine mandate" means any requirement that a person receive a vaccine intended to prevent or reduce COVID-19 as a condition of admission, enrollment, attendance or employment at a college or university.

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 1374 To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit the imposition of COVID–19 vaccine mandates by institutions of higher education, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 3, 2023 Ms. TENNEY (for herself, Mr. LAMALFA, and Mr. LAMBORN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit the imposition of COVID–19 vaccine mandates by insti- tutions of higher education, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ending COVID Vac- 4 cine Mandates for Colleges and Universities Act’’. 5 SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON COVID–19 VACCINE MANDATES. 6 Part B of title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 7 (20 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 8 the following: 9 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:26 Mar 17, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1374.IH H1374 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 1374 IH ‘‘SEC. 124. PROHIBITION ON COVID–19 VACCINE MANDATES. 1 ‘‘(a) PROHIBITION.—An institution of higher edu- 2 cation that imposes a COVID–19 vaccine mandate shall 3 be ineligible to receive funds or otherwise participate in 4 programs under this Act for the duration of the period 5 during which such mandate is in effect. 6 ‘‘(b) COVID–19 VACCINE MANDATE DEFINED.—In 7 this section, the term ‘COVID–19 vaccine mandate’ means 8 any requirement that an individual receive an immuniza- 9 tion that is intended to prevent or mitigate COVID–19 10 as a condition of that individual’s admission to, enrollment 11 in, or attendance or employment at an institution of high- 12 er education.’’. 13 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:26 Mar 17, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H1374.IH H1374 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS

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