Del. lawmakers file bill to outlaw fake vaccination cards

DOVER, Del. – Lawmakers in Delaware filed a bill on Thursday that would outlaw fake vaccination cards.

Sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, House Bill 302 would add a definition of vaccination cards to the existing crime of second degree forgery. The card would be defined as “provided to an individual by a vaccine provider indicating the date an individual received a vaccination, the type of vaccine and lot number, and bearing a government logo or other indication that the card is created by a governmental instrumentality”.

Recently, a Delaware man was arrested and charged with a federal misdemeanor for manufacturing and selling fake vaccination cards over the internet. Similar cases have been reported across the country.

Under HB 302, the crime would include electronic vaccine documents, because the existing definition of “written instrument” under state code includes electronic equivalents.

“More and more, we have seen cases of individuals forging vaccination cards to circumvent guidelines or requirements to get vaccinated. This isn’t just dishonest; it’s also a public health risk that could put susceptible people in jeopardy by being around someone claiming to be vaccinated against a serious virus,” said Rep. Baumbach, D-Newark North. “By adding this definition to the forgery statute, we will be giving prosecutors another tool to combat this growing crime.”

Second degree forgery is a class G felony. HB 302 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.