This bill prevents state and local governments from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations unless they provide religious exemptions. If a government wants to mandate vaccines, they must allow people to opt out based on sincere religious beliefs. The law treats religious objections the same way it would treat other types of exemptions—they can't be singled out or made unreasonably difficult to obtain.

The bill gives two ways to enforce it: individuals or organizations who believe their religious rights were violated can sue in court, and the federal government can also bring lawsuits against states or cities that violate the rule. This applies to any vaccine mandates that were put in place before, during, or after the bill becomes law.

In practical terms, this means if your employer, school, or local government tried to require COVID-19 vaccination without offering a religious exemption option, you could potentially take legal action. The bill essentially makes it illegal for government entities to enforce vaccine mandates that don't accommodate people's religious objections to vaccination.

CONSCIENCE Act of 2023

Rubio, Marco

Conscience Objections to Negligent State COVID-19 Inoculation Edicts Need Constitutional Enforcement Act of 2023 or the CONSCIENCE Act of 2023 This bill generally prohibits state and local governmental COVID-19 vaccine mandates that do not provide religious exemptions. Specifically, the bill prohibits state and local governments from establishing COVID-19 vaccine mandates that (1) place a substantial burden on the religious exercise of an individual or entity; (2) do not treat a religious exercise or condition the same as a nonreligious exercise or condition; or (3) exclude or unreasonably limit religious exemptions. An individual's refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or an entity's refusal to institute COVID-19 vaccine requirements, on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief is considered to be religious exercise. The bill establishes a private right of action and authorizes the federal government to bring civil actions for violations. The bill applies to any mandates adopted before, on, or after the bill's date of enactment.