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Vaccine Bill Would Permit COVID-19 Mandates - With Lots Of Exemptions

Dan Konik
/
Statehouse News Bureau

A House committee is expected to vote on a bill that would allow businesses and schools to require COVID vaccines, but would guarantee exemptions for employees and students. A full House vote could come tomorrow. Statehouse correspondent Karen Kasler reports the measure attempts to address elements of COVID-related bans that have been proposed in other bills.

The bill says employees and students can be exempt from a COVID vaccine mandate if they have a medical contraindication, natural immunity from having COVID, and reasons of conscience. Republican Rep. Rick Carfagna says that includes religious beliefs.

“We are also making clear that employees and students asserting a religious exemption would not be required to provide any additional documentation other than a written statement claiming the exemption.”

The exemptions don’t apply at children's hospitals, or for those who work in ICU or critical care. The bill also bans proof of vaccinations to come into state buildings or agencies, but allows businesses to use so-called vaccine passports.

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