Michigan House Republicans have introduced legislation that would make it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their vaccination status. House Bill 4475, introduced on May 8, would add “vaccination status” and possession of an “immunity passport” to the list of protected civil rights under Michigan law.

The bill amends the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and prohibits employers, schools, and state and local governments from treating people differently based on whether they’ve received one or more vaccines.

The move comes after years of debate and fallout from COVID-19-era mandates. If passed, HB 4475 would ensure that an individual cannot be denied a job, education, or government service just because of their personal medical decisions.

Under the bill, no state or local government, community college, or private university could deny “services, goods, facilities, advantages, privileges, licensing, educational opportunities, health care access, or employment opportunities” based on vaccine status or the presence or lack of an immunity passport. Employers would also be barred from refusing to hire or firing workers based on whether they’re vaccinated.

This push for medical freedom isn’t new. In 2021, Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, introduced similar legislation, saying, “We should not be discriminating against individuals over a personal choice, or creating two classes of citizens based on that choice.” Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, who supported that effort, added, “This plan will protect Michiganders seeking to make medical choices without fear of coercion or discrimination.”

State Rep Brad Paquette, 78th District, who just told me he is a YES in favor of Rep Allor’s No Vaccine Passport Bill. pic.twitter.com/0KnOIaEqTk

— Dr. Naomi Wolf. 8 NYT Bestsellers. DPhil, Poetry. (@naomirwolf) May 5, 2021

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HB 4475 includes narrow exceptions, such as federal compliance requirements for Medicare- and Medicaid-funded facilities, high-risk healthcare environments, and preexisting contracts.

Supporters of HB 4475 argue that the legislation is a necessary correction after years of emergency policies that blurred the line between public health and personal liberty. They say the bill doesn’t question the value of vaccines but rather affirms that health decisions, especially those involving medical risk, should remain between individuals and their doctors, not dictated by employers or government bureaucrats.

By recognizing vaccine status as a protected category under civil rights law, lawmakers aim to ensure that future crises do not erode the fundamental freedoms Michiganders are entitled to. In their view, HB 4475 isn’t just about COVID-19; it’s about drawing a firm boundary that protects individual choice in the face of collective pressure, now and in the years to come.