HF 2897

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 01/31/2022 12:23pm

A bill for an act
relating to public health; creating a health freedom sanctuary; limiting the governor's
peacetime emergency powers; prohibiting mandatory vaccinations; prohibiting
businesses from requiring certain vaccination documentations; prohibiting a school
district from requiring a student to wear a mask on school grounds; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 12.31, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 121A; 181; 325D.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 12.31, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Limits on governor's peacetime emergency powers. new text end

new text begin A declaration of a
peacetime emergency does not authorize the governor to:
new text end

new text begin (1) require a business to close, preclude customers from entering the premises of a
business, or impose penalties for continuing to do business or allowing customers to enter
the premises of a business; or
new text end

new text begin (2) preclude the free movement of people or impose penalties for moving freely about
the state or across state borders.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day after final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [121A.20] STUDENT MASKING.
new text end

new text begin A school district, charter school, or private school is prohibited from requiring a student
to wear a face covering anywhere on school grounds.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [181.987] MANDATORY VACCINATION PROHIBITED.
new text end

new text begin (a) It is unlawful for any employer to require an employee or applicant for employment
to require an employee or applicant for employment to receive a vaccination as a condition
of employment.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a gross
misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this section, "employer" means a person or entity that employs one
or more employees in this state and includes an individual, corporation, partnership,
association, nonprofit organization, group of persons, state, county, town, city, school
district, or other governmental subdivision.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [325D.73] REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN VACCINATION OR
RECOVERY DOCUMENTATION UNLAWFUL.
new text end

new text begin (a) In order to protect the fundamental rights and privacies of Minnesotans and the free
flow of commerce within the state, it shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, firm,
or corporation, foreign or domestic, doing business in the state to require patrons or customers
to provide documentation certifying vaccination or post-transmission recovery to gain access
to, entry upon, or service from the business.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any business that violates the prohibition in this subdivision shall be ineligible for
grants or contracts financed through state revenue or funds.
new text end

new text begin (c) The requirements in this section do not restrict businesses from instituting COVID-19
screening protocols in accordance with state and federal law to protect the public health.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end