Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a right to privacy concerning COVID-19 vaccination status.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the right of an individual to disclose their vaccination status for COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or any of its mutations, is available to (Sec 1):

• Employees of an employer; and

• Individuals seeking employment with an employer; and

• Individuals engaging in contracts with an employer.

• Prohibits an employer from (Sec 1): 

• Requiring the disclosure of an individual's vaccination status for COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or any of its mutations; and

• Retaliating against an individual for exercising his or her right of privacy.

• Establishes that an employee or individual who is injured by an employer in violation of this section shall have the remedies and procedures available under the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993 (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the Department of Finance and Administration to establish and promulgate a grant program with distribution of COVID-19 relief funds or funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide restitution to individuals injured by a violation of this section (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes this act to become immediately effective when (Sec. 2): 

• The date of its approval by the Governor;

• If the bill is neither approved nor vetoed by the Governor, the expiration of the period of time during which the Governor may veto the bill; or

• If the bill is vetoed by the Governor and the veto is overridden, the date the last house overrides the veto.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a right to privacy concerning COVID-19 vaccination status.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the right of an individual to disclose their vaccination status for COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or any of its mutations, is available to (Sec 1):

• Employees of an employer; and

• Individuals seeking employment with an employer; and

• Individuals engaging in contracts with an employer.

• Prohibits an employer from (Sec 1): 

• Requiring the disclosure of an individual's vaccination status for COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or any of its mutations; and

• Retaliating against an individual for exercising his or her right of privacy.

• Establishes that an employee or individual who is injured by an employer in violation of this section shall have the remedies and procedures available under the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993 (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the Department of Finance and Administration to establish and promulgate a grant program with distribution of COVID-19 relief funds or funds received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide restitution to individuals injured by a violation of this section (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes this act to become immediately effective when (Sec. 2): 

• The date of its approval by the Governor;

• If the bill is neither approved nor vetoed by the Governor, the expiration of the period of time during which the Governor may veto the bill; or

• If the bill is vetoed by the Governor and the veto is overridden, the date the last house overrides the veto.

Full Bill Text