Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs vaccine passport ban

DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a bill barring government entities, private businesses and venues open to the public from requiring Iowans to present so-called "vaccine passports" as proof they’ve received COVID-19 vaccinations.

House File 889 prohibits the mandatory disclosure of whether a person has received a COVID-19 vaccination.

Any governmental entity or business asking for such proof would be in violation of the law and could not receive any grants and contracts funded by state revenue.

The new law, which took effect on Reynolds’ signature Thursday, also prevents all government entities in Iowa from including a person's COVID-19 vaccination status or history on a government-issued driver’s license or identification card.

The legislation made exceptions for health care facilities, such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes, and would not affect requirements employers may place on their employees.

The new law includes retailers that are required to have a sales tax permit and nonprofits, as well as any establishment open to the public or that limits entrance by a cover charge or membership requirement.

On April 7, Reynolds told Statehouse reporters she “strongly“ opposed any mandatory vaccination disclosure system as “an attack on our liberties and our freedoms” and would take steps to restrict their use either through legislation or executive order.

The governor said the so-called vaccine passports pose constitutional, civil rights and privacy issues and potentially set up a "two-tiered society" requiring Iowans to "either engage or become marginalized."

Biden administration officials announced in April they had no plans to create a federal vaccine passport or credential system or require travelers or businesses to be inoculated.

Democrats in the Legislature termed the ban as trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.