Rep. Jon Jacobsen and members of a task force speak during a State Capitol news conference Jan. 4, 2022, about a bill they have proposed to prohibit employer vaccine mandates in Iowa. (Photo by Katie Akin/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
For Immediate Release
Rep. Jon Jacobsen
Phone: 712-890-7266
Email: Jon.Jacobsen@legis.iowa.gov
Iowa House Study Bill Seeks to Address Discrimination by Employer Vaccine Mandates and Protect Iowans’ Personal Health Information
Des Moines, IA - Iowa legislators Rep. Jon Jacobsen and Rep. Mark Cisneros have spent
weeks working with a diverse group of Iowans (from all over the state with various backgrounds and degrees) to propose a House Study Bill at the beginning of session. The bill would address many of the concerns Iowans have had with vaccine mandates, as well as the unlawful disclosure of personal health information (which Iowans have been subjected to since the onset of COVID).
“Our goal was to craft something simple to read and understand, simple to implement, and
something that would protect Iowans’ private health information from employers and the federal government’s tyrannical overreach of powers which we all have witnessed the last two years with COVID,” Rep. Jacobsen said. “After weeks of flushing out the language and narrowing its focus, I certainly believe we have succeeded.”
If passed into law, the bill would prohibit a person or business from inquiring about or
maintaining records of an individual's medical treatment status (including vaccinations) unless it is for the purpose of providing treatment and care to an individual. Additionally, it would make it unlawful for the following based on medical or vaccination status:
anyone to be denied goods or services
provide incentives or disincentives
employment considerations (i.e. hiring or firing)
segregation or discrimination
“This bill is the complete package and will truly address the rightful concerns and hardships
Iowans have been facing in light of these COVID mandates. Health and safety has consistently fallen under state purview to address,” Rep. Cisneros said. “We don’t need to wait for any more court rulings, because by law, that power is given to the local elected officials of the Iowa legislature. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get these necessary protections in Iowa law.”
Health and safety has consistently been proclaimed a state issue to address, consequently, a
federal judge in the case of Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Biden has decided President Joe
Biden overstepped his authority with his Executive Order. Their decision declared public health has primarily and historically been a matter of local concern as it has not been enumerated in the constitution as a power given to the Federal government.
Compared to previous legislation, if the House Study Bill passes, businesses would be required to comply otherwise they would lose their license, permit, or other state authorization which permits them to conduct their business within the state. The bill also puts liability on the employer for any adverse reactions, injury, disability, or death that occurs as a result of the mandated vaccination. Iowa lawmakers feel these penalties are necessary to help Iowans get back to work.
“Discrimination on any level, toward anyone is unacceptable,” said Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, State Government Committee Chair. “I liked the bill that was passed in October. I thought it was a great win-win because it let businesses operate the way they needed to and it gave Iowans an opportunity to use exemptions the way they’re designed to work. Unfortunately, Iowans are still being discriminated against and their personal health information has been used against them. I feel the same as all the Iowans who have been calling and emailing with their frustrations - enough is enough. This House Study Bill I feel is what we need to do now in response to protect Iowans.” This House Study Bill will be a committee bill in his committee.
Iowa would be following closely behind one other state to pass an anti-discrimination law
relating to vaccination status. Montana passed a similar law in August. “It’s always encouraging to know other states are aligned in similar thought and have already successfully implemented the protections Iowans have been persistently requesting,” Rep. Jacobsen said. “It removes a lot of unknowns. I’m really excited to see the momentum already building for this bill.”