The Model State Emergency Health Powers Act
is being driven through on a state-by-state basis by Attorney General John Ashcroft and Health
Secretary Terry Thompson. If the president and the governor of a
state that has passed this act declare a state of emergency, it allows
the government to declare martial law, taking away basic rights of
citizens, and allows the National Guard to forcibly immunize citizens,
including children. As of October 2004, this act has been approved
and signed into law by 16 states.
The following information is reprinted from the National
Vaccine Information Center web site.
National vaccination programs targeting civilians, including children, are being proposed in model state legislation that would give public health officials the power to use the state militia to enforce vaccination during state-declared health emergencies. While it is critical for the U.S. to have a sound, workable plan to respond to an act of bioterrorism, as well as enough safe and effective vaccines stockpiled for every American who wants to use them, there are legitimate concerns about a plan which forces citizens to use vaccines without their voluntary, informed consent.
When federal and state public health officials convince your Governor to declare a “public health” emergency, they want to be able to use the “state militia” to:
take control of all roads leading into and out of your cities and state;
seize your house, car, telephones, computers, food, fuel, clothing, firearms and alcoholic beverages for their own use (and not be held liable if these actions result in the destruction of your personal property);
arrest, imprison and forcibly examine, vaccinate and medicate you and your children without your consent (and not be held liable if these actions result in your death or injury).
States that have already passed this legislation are: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont.
For a map of states where the law has been introduced, click here:
To view a copy of the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act, click here:
To view the actual bills, click here:
The American Legislative Exchange Council, is tracking the state activities of the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act. To view the details of each bill please visit the
ALEC website.
The National Vaccine Information Center is a
non-profit organization that provides information about vaccines.
It includes information about the vaccination laws in each state and a
list of lawyers with expertise in vaccination law.
