# Plain Language Summary: No Vaccine Passports Act

This bill would prohibit the federal government from requiring people to show proof of vaccination in order to travel, work, or access services. It would also prevent federal agencies from creating or maintaining any kind of vaccine passport system—essentially a digital or physical document that proves someone has been vaccinated. The bill goes further by blocking the government from funding state or local programs that use vaccine passports, and it would prevent federal contractors (private companies that work for the government) from requiring employees to show vaccination records as a condition of employment.

The practical effect is that if this bill becomes law, you couldn't be denied entry onto a plane, train, or cruise ship based on vaccination status, and federal employees couldn't be required to prove they've been vaccinated to keep their jobs. The bill also restricts the federal government's ability to partner with private companies or other organizations to create vaccine verification systems. However, it's important to note that this bill only applies to federal government actions—it doesn't prevent individual states, local governments, hospitals, or private businesses from setting their own vaccination requirements if they choose to do so.

This bill primarily affects people who travel frequently, federal employees, and those who work for federal contractors. It also impacts public health officials and government agencies that might want to implement vaccination verification systems during future health emergencies. The bill reflects ongoing debate about balancing public health measures with individual choice regarding medical decisions.

No Vaccine Passports Act

Cruz, Ted

No Vaccine Passports Act This bill restricts collection and disclosure of an individual's vaccination status, including for COVID-19 vaccinations. It also makes it unlawful to discriminate based on COVID-19 vaccination status and to mandate vaccination in certain circumstances. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or collaborate with federal, state, private, or international systems that track or monitor an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status. Additionally, federal agencies must destroy existing records that contain information about an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status within 30 days. Furthermore, agencies may not issue vaccine passports or similar standardized documentation of COVID-19 vaccination status. The bill also prohibits discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccination status or willingness to provide documentation of vaccination status in employment, public accommodations, and certain public programs and services. Remedies and enforcement mechanisms available under federal civil rights laws apply to violations under this bill. In addition, federal privacy standards for health information must prohibit the disclosure of non-anonymized information about the status of any vaccination without a patient's express consent. Moreover, the bill makes anyone who requests an individual's vaccination status subject to these standards. The bill temporarily bans (1) mandates for vaccines authorized for use under emergency procedures, and (2) administration of those vaccines to minors or individuals who lack capacity to consent to vaccinations without the consent of their parent or guardian. It also prohibits public disclosure of an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status without express, written consent. Violations of these prohibitions are subject to criminal and civil penalties.