Gov. DeWine Signs Bill Prohibiting Schools from Mandating COVID-19 Vaccination

Governor Mike DeWine has signed HB 244 into law. Provisions, which were added as amendments to the legislation's original intent of helping the transition for kids in military families from one school to another, say a public school or state institution of higher education shall not require an individual to receive a vaccine that has not been granted full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA through Emergency Use Authorization. 

Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware) proposed the amendment to ban public schools from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine on the Senate floor June 28. He said the urgency came down to timing on the issue--he wanted the bill to become law before the start of the new school year.

Following the passage of the bill, Senate Democrats issued a statement calling for Gov. DeWine to veto the it, saying that "it is unfortunate that critical legislation to support our military families was tainted by last-minute amendments that will put the lives of Ohioans in danger," and added that the provisions on discrimination would stop schools from mandating masks for people who are not vaccinated. 

The AMCNO, along with other medical groups in the state, asked for a veto of the bill.