This bill proposes significant updates to current employment statutes regarding religious exemptions for medical products. Under the new law, the definition of a medical product is expanded to include any medical product, not just the COVID-19 vaccine, and employers must provide reasonable accommodations for employees who cite sincerely held religious beliefs against taking such products. The bill prohibits employers from inquiring into the validity of an employee's religious beliefs beyond federal law requirements and from discriminating against employees based on their refusal to take a medical product. Additionally, it removes the employer's ability to deny a religious exemption based on the cost of accommodation.

The bill also establishes a formal complaint process through the Attorney General's office for employees who believe their religious exemption requests were improperly handled. The Attorney General is tasked with investigating these complaints and can impose civil penalties on employers who fail to comply with the new requirements. Employers are required to maintain confidentiality regarding exemption requests and must create a specific form for employees to request religious exemptions, which includes detailed information about the employee's beliefs and the requested accommodations. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen protections for employees seeking religious exemptions from medical product mandates.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-206, 23-207