State Vaccine Mandate Comparison Matrix
Interactive comparison of vaccine mandate systems across states with constitutional violations and legal tool effectiveness
How to Use This Matrix: Filter by status, constitutional violation, or search for specific states/legislation. Click column headers to sort. Effectiveness ratings (1-5) indicate how successful each legal tool is in that state. States with case studies have comprehensive analysis and downloadable templates available.
Showing 10 of 10 states
| State ↑ | Status | Mandate Type | Key Legislation | Sep of Powers | Non-Deleg | Due Process | Void Ab Initio | Public Records | Quo Warranto | Constitutional | Void Tool | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Active | School + Healthcare + Independent State Recommendations | SB 277 (2015), SB 276/714 (2019), AB 144 (2025) Sep 2025 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||
| Connecticut | Active | School (No Religious Exemptions) | HB 6423 (2021) 2021 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |||||
| Louisiana | Active | School + Recent Legislative Battles | LA RS 17:170 (ongoing amendments) 2024-2025 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |||||
| Maine | Active | School (No Religious Exemptions) | LD 798 (2019) 2019 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |||||
| Mississippi | Active | School (Medical Exemptions Only) | MS Code §41-23-37 Historical | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |||||
| New Jersey | Pending | School + Administrative Coordination | S4894, S4726, NJDOH Directive 25-005, DOBI Bulletin 25-11 Dec 2025 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | |||||
| New York | Partial | School + Emergency Powers | Executive Law Article 2-B, EO 52 (Sep 2025) Sep 2025 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |||||
| Oregon | Active | School + West Coast Alliance Participation | West Coast Health Alliance (Sep 2025) Sep 2025 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | |||||
| Washington | Active | School + Healthcare + DOH Standing Order | HB 1531 (2025), DOH Standing Order (Sep 2025) Sep 2025 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||
| West Virginia | Active | School (Medical Exemptions Only) | WV Code §16-3-4 Historical | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
California
Most comprehensive system. AB 144 breaks from federal CDC. CAIR-ME database with CDPH revocation authority. Medical Board disciplines physicians. 15 legal templates available.
Connecticut
Eliminated religious exemptions 2021. Legislative action (not administrative). Constitutional challenge focuses on religious freedom and parental rights.
Louisiana
Active legislative battles over exemption requirements. Louisiana Department of Health has broad authority to add vaccines to schedule. Non-delegation concerns.
Maine
Eliminated religious exemptions 2019. Legislative action (not administrative). Constitutional challenge focuses on religious freedom and parental rights.
Mississippi
Strictest mandate in nation (tied with WV). No religious or personal exemptions. Long-standing statute. Constitutional challenge focuses on religious freedom and parental rights.
New Jersey
December 5, 2025 memos declare independence from federal ACIP. Bills pending to codify administrative power grab. TIME-SENSITIVE: Legislative action needed. 11 legal templates available.
New York
Healthcare mandate repealed Oct 2023. Executive Order 52 authorizes providers to administer COVID vaccine. Article 2-B grants broad emergency powers with minimal oversight.
Oregon
West Coast Health Alliance participant with CA and WA. Interstate compact without congressional approval. Supremacy Clause violation.
Washington
CRITICAL: Standing order allows vaccination of minors WITHOUT parental consent. West Coast Health Alliance participant. Strongest parental rights violation in nation.
West Virginia
Strictest mandate in nation (tied with MS). No religious or personal exemptions. Long-standing statute. Constitutional challenge focuses on religious freedom and parental rights.
Most Aggressive States
- California: Most comprehensive system with decade of legislative changes (2015-2025). CAIR-ME database, CDPH revocation authority, AB 144 breaks from federal CDC.
- Washington: Most egregious parental rights violation—standing order allows vaccination of minors WITHOUT parental consent.
- New Jersey: Most recent power grab (December 2025 memos). Bills pending to codify administrative independence from federal ACIP.
- New York: Broadest emergency powers statute (Article 2-B) with minimal oversight or time limits.
West Coast Health Alliance
Participants: California, Oregon, Washington
Formation: September 2025 in response to Trump administration CDC changes
Constitutional Issues:
- • Interstate compact without congressional approval (Compact Clause violation)
- • Supremacy Clause violation (parallel regulatory system)
- • Non-delegation (no standards, limits, or legislative oversight)
- • Separation of powers (executive branch creating binding policy)
Legal Tools Effectiveness
Most Effective Tools Across All States:
- • Public Records Requests: High effectiveness (4-5) in all states with administrative overreach
- • Constitutional Challenges: High effectiveness (4-5) in states with clear violations
- • Quo Warranto: Very high effectiveness (5) in CA and WA due to officials exceeding authority
- • Void Ab Initio: High effectiveness (4-5) in states with administrative actions lacking statutory authority
Legislative vs. Administrative Mandates
Administrative Overreach (CA, WA, NJ, NY, OR): Executive agencies creating binding policy without legislative approval. All four constitutional violations apply. High effectiveness for all legal tools.
Legislative Mandates (ME, CT, WV, MS): Statutes passed by legislature eliminating exemptions. Separation of powers and non-delegation do NOT apply. Constitutional challenges focus on religious freedom and parental rights.
Related Resources
Comprehensive analysis of California's decade-long vaccine mandate system with 15 legal templates.
TIME-SENSITIVE analysis of December 2025 administrative power grab with 11 legal templates.
Learn the constitutional principles underlying all state comparisons and legal tools.