With 38% of Iowa’s population now fully vaccinated and the recent approval of distribution to children ages 12-18, businesses are having to find a balance between allowing customers to return to some level of normalcy and keeping them safe. One tempting solution for some businesses may be to limit in person shopping or services to customers who have completed their vaccination series. Is requiring your customers to be fully vaccinated legal?

A NEW LAW in Iowa prohibits businesses and government entities from requiring a customer, client, patient, or any other person who is invited onto their premises to provide proof of having received a COVID19 vaccine. A business that is open to the public for shopping or has a cover charge or membership fee qualifies as inviting those with access onto their premises. Therefore, the majority of businesses that people use in their day-to-day life are prohibited from mandatory disclosures. This restriction does not limit the business from using other COVID19 screening protocol, such as taking temperatures or asking about symptoms.

In addition to prohibiting businesses from requiring proof of vaccination from customers, the Iowa Legislature has squashed some discussion on a “vaccination passport” idea. The new law proactively prohibits the State from including on your government ID or implementing any type of identification card disclosing whether the individual has received their COVID19 vaccination.

The attorneys at Simpson, Jensen, Abels, Fisher & Bouslog, P.C. are experienced in handling complex business issues. Contact us at (515) 288-5000 to discuss your corporate duties with our firm.

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