SPONSOR: McGirl
This bill modifies current law to prohibit political subdivisions from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination to access transportation systems, services, or public accommodations. Under this bill, no public or private entity receiving public funds or any other public accommodation shall require documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination to access transportation systems, facilities, services, or public accommodations, as defined in the bill.
No student in grades K-12 shall be required, as a condition of school attendance or participation in any school-sponsored extracurricular activities, to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to undergo any testing policy as an alternative to a COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, no public institution of higher education shall require a COVID-19 vaccine or diagnostic testing in order for a student to access facilities, services, or activities, including attending class in person. These provisions expire on December 31, 2028.
The bill prohibits any day care center, preschool, or nursery school from requiring a child to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of his or her attendance. This provision expires on December 31, 2028.
The bill makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to require employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment without permitting employees to be exempted on the grounds of their religious, moral, ethical, or philosophical beliefs; for medical reasons, including pregnancy; or due to previous exposure and subsequent recovery from COVID-19. The employer shall not require the employee to provide any kind of explanation or proof regarding his or her religious, moral, ethical, or philosophical beliefs or medical conditions relating to requesting an exemption from vaccination. The Commission on Human Rights is required to develop and make available to employers and employees a form that employees may use to make requests for exemption. No employer shall require an employee to undergo testing as an alternative to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. This provision expires on December 31, 2028.
This bill contains an emergency clause.
This bill is similar to SB 201 (2023) and SCS SBs 702, 636, 651, & 693 (2022).
Statutes affected: