This bill would prohibit an employer or prospective employer from discriminating against an individual on the basis of the individual's refusal of certain drugs, vaccines, or facial coverings for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. This bill would prohibit a place of public accommodation from discriminating against any individual on the basis of the individual's immunization status or refusal to wear a facial covering. This bill would prohibit a hospital or health plan insurer from discriminating against any individual based on the individual's refusal of certain drugs, vaccines, or facial coverings, except for surgical masks during the performance of a surgical, medical, or dental procedure, for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions. This bill would prohibit an occupational licensing board from denying, suspending, revoking, or refusing to issue, renew, or reinstate a license because of the immunization status of the licensee or applicant for a license. This bill would authorize any individual subject to discrimination by an employer, prospective employer, place of public accommodation, hospital, health plan insurer, or occupational licensing board in violation of the bill to seek a permanent or preliminary injunction, and would provide for remedies for the violation. This bill would authorize the Attorney General to bring a civil cause of action against an employer, prospective employer, place of public accommodation, hospital, health plan insurer, or occupational licensing board for a violation. This bill would also authorize the Attorney General to defend or participate in a suit on behalf of an employer, place of public accommodation, hospital, health plan insurer, or occupational licensing board that is subject to federal fines, penalties, or mandates relating to the requirements of this bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-21-20