Bill Caption

Relating to requirements for information contained in the immunization registry. 

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB 4272, As Introduced : a NEGATIVE impact of ($2,900,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. 

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. 

Bill Analysis

Under current law the Department of State Health Services operates an immunization registry. HB 4272 would update numerous requirements for this registry, including the method of verifying consent to participate in the registry, method for disclosing registry information to the family members of participating first responders, and provision of notice for eligible individuals to continue to be included in the registry, among other things. The bill would also require a secure consent portal "through which an individual or the individual’s legally authorized representative may request to exclude the individual’s immunization records from the registry."

HB 4272 would also prohibit the use of the immunization registry to create vaccine passports or passes. The bill would also prohibit employers or businesses from using the immunization registry to verify if someone is vaccinated for COVID-19 or to in any way discriminate against an employee.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports CSHB 4272 which uplifts individual liberty and limited government by prohibiting the immunization registry from being used as the basis to create vaccine passports or to allow businesses to use the database to verify an individual's COVID-19 immunization status or to discriminate against an employee.