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House committee advances bill limiting vaccine mandates for access to public buildings after heated debate
Summary
The House Committee on Health and Welfare on April 23 advanced HB 9 26, a bill by Rep. Baham that would bar many vaccine or medical‑status requirements to enter government buildings; the measure passed out of committee 8–4 after lengthy testimony and amendments that exclude medical centers and school statutes.
The House Committee on Health and Welfare advanced House Bill 9 26 on April 23 after a contentious floor‑level debate and a roll‑call vote of 8–4.
Rep. Rob Baham, the bill’s sponsor, said the legislation is intended to protect citizens’ access to government buildings without requiring disclosure of vaccination status. "The intention of this bill is to have it where folks are able to enter a government facility regardless of vaccination status and then have to provide a document," he told the committee, adding that the bill’s scope was narrowed to exclude medical centers and similar licensed facilities.
Supporters framed the measure as a liberty protection. Opponents, including medical and public‑health witnesses, argued the change could hinder outbreak response and public‑health practice. Jill Hines of Health Freedom Louisiana said she generally supports the bill but warned the committee against an amendment that excludes medical masks from the bill’s definition of medical devices. "When medical masks are used for medical purposes, the FDA actually defines them as medical devices," Hines said.
Joseph O'Kini, a pediatrician representing the American Academy of Pediatrics, Louisiana chapter, told the committee he was "still concerned about whether day care centers, schools, and places of higher education are included in this bill or not," saying student immunization records are critical for managing outbreaks such as measles and quarantine decisions.
Committee counsel clarified that the adopted amendment set creates an exemption to RS 17:170 (the school vaccination statute) and provides a carve‑out for child welfare laws, but noted that ultimate legal interpretation is for the courts.
After discussion and several rounds of member questions about balancing individual autonomy and public health, Representative Stagney moved to report the bill favorably. The committee then took a roll call: Representative Barratt (yes), Representative Butler (yes), Representative Chasson (no), Representative Cruz (yes), Representative Dickerson (yes), Representative Egan (yes), Representative Fisher (no), Representative Jackson (no), Representative Mandy Landry (no), Representative McMahon (yes), Representative Spell (yes), Representative Stagni (yes), Representative Turner (yes), and Chairman Miller (no). The motion passed 8–4 and HB 9 26 was reported favorably with amendments.
The bill will move forward from committee with the adopted amendments. The transcript shows the committee focused on clarifying the bill’s exclusions for medical and educational facilities and heard multiple health‑care stakeholders during the public‑comment period.
