Maryland HB699: Testimony Series
Compelling testimonies from renowned scientists, doctors, public health experts, concerned citizens and students
On April 23, 2021, the University System of Maryland (USM) announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students and employees in order to return to campus for the Fall 2021 semester. The mandate affected over 200,000 students, staff, and faculty. Until well into the summer 2021, there was no meaningful communication regarding the exemption process or what the consequences would be if someone didn’t get vaccinated.
In January 2022, USM also extended the mandate to include boosters for all residential students. Several campuses, including UMD-College Park, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and Bowie State, also mandated boosters for non-residential students and/or employees. Later that spring, USM quietly lifted the system-wide mandate, allowing each institution to decide their own mandates. Though some campuses have lifted mandate requirements, nothing prevents reinstatement of the mandates. As Chancellor Perman stated “These are the lessons we will apply to our next public health threat…” Several campuses still have mandates for students only, and as recently as February 9th, 2022, employees also were mandated at UMD-College Park.
On March 6, the Health and Government Operations Committee in the Maryland General Assembly heard oral testimonies on Maryland House bill HB699 “Vaccination by Choice Act”. HB699 as amended also protects college students in publicly funded IHEs in the state from providing proof of Covid vaccination in order to attend college. Legislators heard hours of impactful testimonies covering a wide array of well-substantiated support for HB699 with the amendment.
We are pleased to share oral testimony from Dr. Pierre Kory, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance and critical care physician.
Thank you, Dr. Kory, for your support for Maryland HB699 with amendments!
“I am honored to give my full support to HB 699. There remains no medical justification for the COVID-19 vaccine to be used for anyone. Requiring the vaccine as a condition of employment is harmful to public health and a clear violation of the people’s rights to choose their medical care with their physician and not the state government.”
Dr. Pierre Kory