New York A 8261: Relates to the administration of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 immunization

Status: REFERRED TO HEALTH (as of 2026-01-07)

State: New York · Session: 2025-2026 · Bill: A 8261

Sponsors: John K. Mikulin

Bill Text

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A08261 Summary:

BILL NOA08261 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS S00285

&nbsp

SPONSORMikulin

&nbsp

COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

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Add §2184, amd §2164, Pub Health L

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Prohibits administrative agencies from administering or requiring the COVID-19 immunization unless authorized by the legislature.

Go to top A08261 Actions:

BILL NOA08261 

&nbsp

05/05/2025referred to health

01/07/2026referred to health

Go to topA08261 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA08261 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA08261 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 8261

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 May 5, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. MIKULIN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
 tee on Health

 AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the administration
 of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 immunization

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
 2 2184 to read as follows:
 3 § 2184. Novel coronavirus/COVID-19; immunization. 1. No immunization
 4 used for the purposes of inducing immunity against COVID-19 in humans in
 5 this state shall be made a mandatory immunization issued by an adminis-
 6 trative agency. No person shall be required to receive such immunization
 7 unless mandated by the legislature.
 8 2. No child under the age of eighteen shall be required to receive
 9 such immunization against COVID-19 unless a person in a parental
 10 relation to such child requests and consents to have the child immunized
 11 or unless required by the legislature. For the purpose of this subdivi-
 12 sion the term "person in parental relation to a child" shall have the
 13 same meaning as set forth in section twenty-one hundred sixty-four of
 14 this article. Prior to administering the immunization every health care
 15 provider or practitioner shall provide a list of ingredients contained
 16 in the immunization as provided by the manufacturer product insert and
 17 all potential side effects as indicated by industry studies.
 18 3. No incapacitated person shall be required to receive such immuniza-
 19 tion against COVID-19 unless a person who is the legal guardian of such
 20 incapacitated person chooses to have the incapacitated person immunized
 21 or required by law duly enacted by the legislature. For the purposes of
 22 this subdivision: (a) the term "incapacitated person" shall mean any
 23 person over the age of eighteen who is unable to make or communicate
 24 decisions affecting their physical health, safety, or self-care; and (b)
 25 the term "legal guardian" shall mean and include any person who is over

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD01044-01-5

 A. 8261 2

 1 the age of eighteen and designated by an incapacitated person prior to
 2 incapacitation as their legal guardian or a person legally appointed by
 3 a court as guardian of such incapacitated person.
 4 4. Unless required by the legislature, no administrative agency shall
 5 require immunization against COVID-19 for:
 6 (a) attendance by students or employment of teachers and staff at any
 7 public or private educational institution, school or day care facility;
 8 (b) travel to or from any location, including other states or coun-
 9 tries;
 10 (c) receipt of any government services;
 11 (d) entrance into public buildings;
 12 (e) employment or continued employment in any business or not-for-pro-
 13 fit organization; or
 14 (f) use of public transportation.
 15 6. No nursing home, state-sponsored group home for adults or children
 16 or any other group home shall require immunization against COVID-19 as a
 17 condition of residency unless required by the legislature.
 18 7. No person shall be required to have, carry or present evidence of
 19 having received immunization against COVID-19 unless required by the
 20 legislature.
 21 § 2. Paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 2164 of the public health
 22 law, as amended by chapter 401 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read
 23 as follows:
 24 a. The term "school" means and includes any public, [private

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