Pennsylvania governor vetoes bill opposing vaccine passport

Tom Wolf/ Shutterstock

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday vetoed legislation that would have forbidden any government entity or higher education institution in the state from asking for proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or to electronically track vaccination status.

Republican-sponsored S.B. 618, which passed the state Senate in a 29-20 vote and the House in a 112-89 vote, would also have forbidden the state’s Secretary of Health from ordering a closure due to public health concerns, require physical distancing or face coverings, mandate a shelter in place or quarantine, or restrict travel.

In a statement, Gov. Wolf called the bill “irresponsible” and said it would have prohibited “basic public health measures … necessary to curb infectious disease transmission.”