JEFFERSON CITY (KMOX) - Gov. Mike Parson has prohibited any local government in Missouri from requiring people to show proof of vaccination. He signed House Bill 271 on Tuesday, which also limits local governments' ability to enact public health orders.
Both the Missouri House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill last month. It requires local health officials to get approval from their city councils or county government boards before extending emergency health restrictions beyond a 30-day period. But that is only if the governor has declared a state of emergency.
If there is no state of emergency, then local officials are limited to only 21-day health orders on businesses, churches, schools, or other places of assembly. To be extended more than once, those orders must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the local governing body.
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“This legislation I am signing today requires local leaders to be more transparent in their reasoning and accountable for their decisions when it comes to public health orders,” Governor Parson said. “It also prohibits local, publicly funded entities from requiring a vaccine passport in order for residents to use public services, and while we encourage all Missourians to get vaccinated against COVID-19, it is not the government's job to force them.”
Additionally, HB 271 prohibits county or municipal governments that receive public funds from requiring documentation of COVID-19 vaccination in order for residents to access transportation systems or other public services.
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