Brief hearing on bill to require higher‑education institutions to cover COVID vaccine injury costs; limited testimony

Senate Bill 478, introduced by Sen. Teresa Manzella, would revise higher‑education law to require certain institutions to cover medical costs related to required COVID‑19 vaccinations in the event of injury.

Manzella said the idea stemmed from constituent concerns and from a federal bill sponsored by Rep. Rosendale. The committee heard brief testimony from an opponent, who urged the committee to expand the measure beyond COVID‑19 vaccinations to cover other medical interventions and to compensate students who lost access to education because of institutional policies. The opponent, who registered as Anma (Anna) Schmelinin, testified she opposed the bill’s narrow focus.

Committee discussion was short; the fiscal analyst noted the Montana University System had not required COVID‑19 vaccinations as a condition for attendance. Committee members asked whether the state’s prior laws on vaccination passports made the bill redundant. No large witness panel appeared. On executive action, committee members raised concerns and at least one roll‑call entry later in the record recorded 11 ‘nay’ votes in discussion of related executive action. The record shows no final passage of SB 478 in committee during this meeting.

Manzella closed by describing the bill as “pretty simple, pretty direct.” The committee did not advance the measure at the time and referred to further consideration during executive action.