From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]:

COVID-19 cases in Missouri – CDC

COVID-19 deaths in Missouri – CDC

Bill prefiling for the Missouri General Assembly session started on December 1st.

Yet another host of bills, addressing a matter of great urgency for right wingnuts – the perpetuation of a deadly pandemic:

HB 1543Prohibits places of public accommodation from requiring vaccination against COVID-19 in order to access services
Sponsor: McGirl, Mike (118)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2022
LR Number: 3267H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2021 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1543
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The bill language:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1543
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MCGIRL.
3267H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 191, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to disclosure of
COVID-19 vaccination status.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 191, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 191.720, to read as follows:

191.720. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:
(1) “COVID-19 vaccination status”, an indication of whether a person has received a vaccination against COVID-19;
(2) “Place of public accommodation”, a business offering or holding out to the general public goods, services, privileges, facilities, advantages, or accommodations for the peace, comfort, health, welfare, and safety of the general public or such public places providing food, shelter, recreation, or amusement.
2. A place of public accommodation shall not require a customer, patron, client, or other individual who is an invitee onto the premises of the place of public accommodation to present documentation disclosing his or her COVID-19 vaccination status or make any statement disclosing his or her COVID-19 vaccination status in order to gain access to or receive a service from the place of public accommodation.
3. An individual who is denied access to or receipt of a service from a place of public accommodation in violation of this section may bring a civil action in circuit court against any person who violates the provisions of this section and obtain one or more of the following remedies:
(1) An injunction against any further violations;
(2) Appropriate affirmative relief;
(3) An order directing that the individual be allowed entrance into the place of public accommodation; and
(4) Any other relief necessary to ensure compliance with this section.
4. The court may award reasonable costs, including court costs and attorney’s fees, to the prevailing party in an action brought under this section.

“… A place of public accommodation shall not require a customer, patron, client, or other individual who is an invitee onto the premises of the place of public accommodation to present documentation disclosing his or her COVID-19 vaccination status or make any statement disclosing his or her COVID-19 vaccination status in order to gain access to or receive a service from the place of public accommodation….”

Enabling superspreader events in a pandemic. That’ll work, eh?

HB 1544
Prohibits employers from requiring their employees to receive a vaccination against COVID-19
Sponsor: McGirl, Mike (118)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2022
LR Number: 3266H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2021 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1544
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The bill language:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1544 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MCGIRL.
3266H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 292, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to COVID-19
vaccination.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 292, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 292.645, to read as follows:

292.645. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:
(1) “Employee”, any person performing work or service of any kind or character for an employer;
(2) “Employer”, any:
(a) Individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or any other entity that is legally doing business in this state; or
(b) Department, agency, or instrumentality of the state or any political subdivision of the state;
(3) “Political subdivision”, any municipality, school district, special district, local governmental body, county, city, town, or village.
2. An employer shall not require an employee or prospective employee to undergo or prove receipt of a vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition ofemployment or continued employment.
3. An employee or prospective employee may bring a civil action in circuit court against an employer who violates the provisions of this section for such relief, including injunctive relief, as may be appropriate.

HB 1624
Creates provisions relating to COVID-19 tests and vaccinations
Sponsor: Schroer, Nick (107)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2022
LR Number: 4220H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2021 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1624
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The bill language.

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1624 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SCHROER.
4220H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapters 191 and 537, RSMo, by adding thereto two new sections relating to
COVID-19 vaccination.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapters 191 and 537, RSMo, are amended by adding thereto two new sections, to be known as sections 191.635 and 537.1415, to read as follows:

191.635. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:
(1) “Contractor”, any person contracted by an employer to perform work or service of any kind or character for the employer;
(2) “COVID-19 testing”, testing performed to detect infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2;
(3) “COVID-19 vaccination status”, an indication of whether a person has received a vaccination against COVID-19;
(4) “Employee”, any person performing work or service of any kind or character for an employer;
(5) “Employer”, any
(a) Individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or any other entity that is legally doing business in this state; or
(b) Government entity;
(6) “Government entity”:
(a) Any agency or instrumentality of the state government; or
(b) Any political subdivision or agency or instrumentality thereof;
(7) “Political subdivision”, any municipality, school district, special district, local governmental body, county, city, town, or village.
2. An employer or government entity shall not require weekly COVID-19 testing for employees, contractors, or students who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 if the employer or government entity does not require employees, contractors, or students who are vaccinated against COVID-19 to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
3. (1) An employer or government entity may require all employees, contractors, or students to undergo periodic COVID-19 testing at any interval as long as the employer or government entity does not consider COVID-19 vaccination status to determine whether to grant any exemptions to the testing requirement or vary the interval of the testing.
(2) Any employer or government entity that requires COVID-19 testing as described in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall pay all costs for such testing.

537.1415. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:
(1) “Contractor”, any person contracted by an employer to perform work or service of any kind or character for the employer;
(2) “Employee”, any person performing work or service of any kind or character for an employer;
(3) “Employer”, any:
(a) Individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or any other entity that is legally doing business in this state; or
(b) Government entity;
(4) “Government entity”:
(a) Any agency or instrumentality of the state government; or
(b) Any political subdivision or agency or instrumentality thereof;
(5) “Political subdivision”, any municipality, school district, special district, local governmental body, county, city, town, or village.
2. Any employer or government entity that requires its employees, contractors, or students to undergo or prove receipt of a vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment for an employee, as a condition of the contract for a contractor, or as a condition of educational opportunities for a student shall be liable to such employees, contractors, or students for damages or physical, mental, or emotional injury arising from the required vaccination.
3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an action under this section may be commenced at any time.

HB 1670
Creates provisions relating to the COVID-19 vaccines
Sponsor: Seitz, Brian (156)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2022
LR Number: 3647H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2021 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1670
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The bill language:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1670 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SEITZ.
3647H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 192, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to COVID-19
vaccination.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 192, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 192.026, to read as follows:

192.026. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:
(1) “COVID-19 vaccination status”, an indication of whether a person has received a vaccination against COVID-19;
(2) “Government entity”:
(a) Any agency or instrumentality of the state government; or
(b) Any political subdivision or agency or instrumentality thereof;
(3) “Political subdivision”, any municipality, school district, special district, local governmental body, county, city, town, or village;
(4) “Vaccine passport”, any standardized documentation of vaccination against COVID-19.
2. No government entity shall issue vaccine passports for the purpose of certifying an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status to a third party or to otherwise publish or share any individual’s COVID-19 vaccination record or similar health information.
3. No government entity shall do business with any entity that requires any of its employees or any other individuals to undergo vaccination against COVID-19 or prove receipt of a vaccination against COVID-19 through the submission of a vaccine passport.
4. If an entity with an existing written or implied contract, including any employment contract, with a government entity implements any new requirement for any of its employees or any other individuals to undergo vaccination against COVID-19 or prove receipt of a vaccination against COVID-19 through the submission of a vaccine passport, the entity shall be barred from doing any further business with any government entity, and any such existing contract with contrary terms shall be null and void as a matter of public policy.

“…vaccine passport…” Seriously? Grow up.

HB 1686
Creates provisions relating to the right to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine and medical treatment
Sponsor: Hardwick, Bill (122)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2022
LR Number: 3452H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2021 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1686
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The bill language:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1686 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE HARDWICK.
3452H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapters 191 and 292, RSMo, by adding thereto two new sections relating to
refusal of medical procedures or treatment.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapters 191 and 292, RSMo, are amended by adding thereto two new sections, to be known as sections 191.230 and 292.648, to read as follows:

191.230. 1. No public body as defined in section 290.210, political subdivision, public school district, public institution of higher education, state department or agency, public official, peace officer, or any person appointed by the governor acting in an official and public capacity under such appointment shall:
(1) Require any person to receive a COVID-19 vaccination; or
(2) Condition any action, benefit, consequence, service, employment, enrollment, or any other thing of value on whether a person has received a COVID-19 vaccination.
2. Any order issued by a body or official described in subsection 1 of this section that violates the provisions of this section shall be void and unenforceable.

292.648. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:
(1) “Employer”, the same meaning given to the term in section 213.010;
(2) “Medical treatment”, any drug, medicine, synthetic substance, or therapy, whether therapeutic or preventive, that is fully approved or granted an emergency use authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or pending approval by the FDA or that would require approval from the FDA to be sold or prescribed to the general public.
2. An employee shall be exempt from an employer’s requirement to receive medical treatment as a condition of employment and shall not be subject to adverse action by the employer, including loss of pay or termination of employment, for declining to receive the medical treatment if:
(1) The employee claims a religious or conscientious objection to the required medical treatment in a written document submitted to the employer;
(2) The employee has received a recommendation from a licensed physician based on the employee’s unique and individual medical situation advising the employee not to receive the required medical treatment on the basis that the medical treatment is medically unnecessary, likely to be harmful to the employee, or is not in the best medical interest of the employee for other specified reasons; or
(3) An alternative to the required medical treatment is available that would be sufficient to ensure the reasonable safety of other employees and any customers with whom the employee interacts.

HB 1768
Prohibits discrimination in employment based on COVID-19 vaccination status
Sponsor: Lewis, Ed (006)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2022
LR Number: 3736H.01I
Last Action: 12/01/2021 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1768
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The bill language:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1768 [pdf]
101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE LEWIS (6).
3736H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 292, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to COVID-19
vaccination status.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 292, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 292.649, to read as follows:

292.649. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:
(1) “COVID-19”, the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus;
(2) “COVID-19 vaccination status”, an indication of whether a person has received a vaccination against COVID-19;
(3) “Employee”, any person performing work or service of any kind or character for an employer;
(4) “Employer”, any:
(a) Individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or any other entity that is legally doing business in this state; or
(b) Department, agency, or instrumentality of the state or any political subdivision of the state;
(5) “Political subdivision”, any municipality, school district, special district, local governmental body, county, city, town, or village.
2. An employer shall not discriminate against an employee in compensation or in a term, condition, or privilege of employment based on the employee’s COVID-19 vaccination status.

If bad legislation was a cure we’d be okay. It isn’t and we aren’t.