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Executive Order 14214
Keeping Education Accessible and Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates in Schools
Signed February 14, 2025, printed at 90 FR 9949. 3 sections of substance, 743 words.
This order bars schools from making students take the COVID shot. Schools that do so may lose federal money.
Sec. 1. Purpose and Policy
Some school districts and universities continue to coerce children and young adults into taking the COVID-19 vaccine by conditioning their education on it, and others may re-implement such mandates. Parents and young adults should be empowered with accurate data regarding the remote risks of serious illness associated with COVID-19 for children and young adults, as well as how those risks can be mitigated through various measures, and left free to make their own decisions accordingly. Given the incredibly low risk of serious COVID-19 illness for children and young adults, threatening to shut them out of an education is an intolerable infringement on personal freedom. Such mandates usurp parental authority and burden students of many faiths. It is the policy of my Administration that discretionary Federal funds should not be used to directly or indirectly support or subsidize an
Some school districts and universities continue to coerce children and young adults into taking the COVID-19 vaccine by conditioning their education on it, and others may re-implement such mandates. Parents and young adults should be empowered with accurate data regarding the remote risks of serious illness associated with COVID-19 for children and young adults, as well as how those risks can be mitigated through various measures, and left free to make their own decisions accordingly. Given the incredibly low risk of serious COVID-19 illness for children and young adults, threatening to shut them out of an education is an intolerable infringement on personal freedom. Such mandates usurp parental authority and burden students of many faiths. It is the policy of my Administration that discretionary Federal funds should not be used to directly or indirectly support or subsidize an
This sets out the case the order makes. It says some schools still require a COVID shot. It says the risk to young people is low. It says families should judge that for themselves. It says shutting students out is not acceptable. It says federal money should not back such rules.
Sec. 2. Definitions
For the purposes of this order: (a) The term ``educational service agency'' has the meaning given in 20 U.S.C. 1401(5). (b) The term ``elementary school'' has the meaning given in 34 CFR 77.1(c). (c) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given in 20 U.S.C. 1001(a). (d) The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning given in 34 CFR 77.1(c). (e) The term ``secondary school'' has the meaning given in 34 CFR 77.1(c). (f) The term ``State educational agency'' has the meaning given in 34 CFR 77.1(c).
For the purposes of this order: (a) The term ``educational service agency'' has the meaning given in 20 U.S.C. 1401(5). (b) The term ``elementary school'' has the meaning given in 34 CFR 77.1(c). (c) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given in 20 U.S.C. 1001(a). (d) The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning given in 34 CFR 77.1(c). (e) The term ``secondary school'' has the meaning given in 34 CFR 77.1(c). (f) The term ``State educational agency'' has the meaning given in 34 CFR 77.1(c).
This defines the terms. It says what counts as a school. It covers grade schools and high schools. It covers colleges as well. It also covers school districts and state agencies. Each meaning is taken from federal law.
Sec. 3.
Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Coercion. (a) The Secretary of Education shall as soon as practicable issue guidelines to elementary schools, local educational agencies, State educational agencies, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education regarding those entities' legal obligations with respect to parental authority, religious freedom, disability accommodations, and equal protection under law, as relevant to coercive COVID-19 school mandates. (b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall provide to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, a plan to end coercive COVID-19 school mandates, consistent with applicable law, and including, as appropriate, any proposed legislation. Such plan shall also include: [[Page 9950]] (i) a list of
Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Coercion. (a) The Secretary of Education shall as soon as practicable issue guidelines to elementary schools, local educational agencies, State educational agencies, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education regarding those entities' legal obligations with respect to parental authority, religious freedom, disability accommodations, and equal protection under law, as relevant to coercive COVID-19 school mandates. (b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall provide to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, a plan to end coercive COVID-19 school mandates, consistent with applicable law, and including, as appropriate, any proposed legislation. Such plan shall also include: [[Page 9950]] (i) a list of
This tells the Education Department to act. It must send guidance to schools and colleges. That guidance covers parental rights and religious freedom. Disability and equal protection are named too. Within 90 days it must give the President a plan. That plan would end such school rules.
Sec. 4. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, February 14, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-02931 Filed 2-19-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, February 14, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-02931 Filed 2-19-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
How this order is quoted
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