This bill takes the middle road
Ohio House bill would expand COVID-19 vaccine mandate exemptions
A new bill that aims to ban employers from requiring workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine is being considered by lawmakers in Ohio.
H.B. 435, also called the “Ohio COVID-19 Fairness Act,†aims to make it easier for people who do not want to get the COVID-19 vaccine to avoid getting one. The bill says public and private employers cannot require it’s employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine that has not received full federal approval.
“Though Pfizer’s vaccine has FDA approval for adults, the bill would allow exemptions for medical reasons, natural immunity defined as “presence of COVID-19 antibodies in an amount at least equal to those conferred by a COVID-19 vaccine,†and religious beliefs.
The exemptions would not apply to people who work in children’s hospitals, intensive care or critical care units or people who start a job after the bill goes into effect.
“Some people want to take away an employer’s right to dictate how people act in the workplace. Others feel like it’s that businesses prerogative like they want you to wear a suit to work,†said Thaddeus Hoffmeister, a law professor at the University of Dayton.
The bill doesn’t ban employers from mandating, as the article makes it seem, it makes sure that people can be exempt for medical and religious reasons, as well as having natural immunity due to having the antibodies from having had COVID, something forgotten so much with all the vaccine mandates. One big component is the religious exemption
Ohio House Bill 435 says, to claim an exemption from COVID-19 vaccine based on reasons of conscience, a student/employee must submit a written statement and “shall not be required to submit any additional information beyond the written statement”
— Andy Chow (@andy_chow) September 28, 2021
In other words, Citizens do not have to jump through hoops to make the claim. And, this seems aimed more at government institutions than private businesses, because Government can be overbearing
Carfagna said the same exemptions apply for students at K-12 schools, public higher education institutions, and private higher education institutions. But they would not apply at children’s hospitals, or for those who work in ICU or critical care.
Only the Pfizer vaccine can be mandated under the bill, since it has full FDA approval and the Moderna and J&J shots are still under emergency use. The exemptions don’t apply at people who work children’s hospitals, or for those who work in ICU or critical care. That’s similar to a law that takes effect October 13 blocking schools and universities from requiring COVID vaccines that don’t have full FDA approval.
The bill also bans proof of vaccinations to come into state buildings or agencies, but allows businesses to use those so-called vaccine passports. The law would expire in June of 2023.
The bill was referred back to committee rather than being voted on, so, we’ll see what happens with it.
Read: Ohio Bill Would Make It Easier For Employees To Claim Exemptions To COVID Mandates »