PA House Votes To Ban Vaccine Passports, Rein In Health Secretary

HARRISBURG, PA — The state House's Republican majority has voted to prohibit the use of so-called coronavirus "vaccine passports" by colleges and universities, as well as limit the health secretary's authority during a public health crisis.

The vote was 119-89 along party lines.

The House amended the bill so it has to go back to the Senate, which approved the measure earlier this month.

The legislation bans colleges and universities receiving state money from requiring coronavirus vaccination proof to enter buildings, attend classes in person or participate in any activity. The prohibition also applies to government agencies, which also would be banned from requiring coronavirus vaccine status on any identification card.

Additionally, the health secretary no longer could order closures, restrict travel or mandate that people who have not been exposed to a contagion to socially distance, don a mask or quarantine.

Gov. Tom Wolf repeatedly has said he has no intention of mandating vaccine passports and he opposes the health secretary's restrictions. His administration believes if those restrictions become law, they would apply in all circumstances - not just during the current pandemic.

Wolf has vowed to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

The legislation advanced after voters approved primary referendums in May increasing the power of legislators to regulate the length of disaster declarations.

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