The proposed bill, titled "Vaccination, Testing, and Mask Mandates Prohibition," aims to establish a new chapter in Title 23 of the General Laws concerning health and safety. This chapter prohibits any person or entity from imposing vaccination, testing, or mask mandates on another person without providing an opt-out option based on personal beliefs, medical reasons (including pregnancy or anticipated pregnancy), religious beliefs, immunity to a virus or pathogen, periodic testing, or the use of personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
The bill outlines specific procedures for claiming exemptions, which include the requirement for exemption statements from licensed medical professionals for medical exemptions, documentation of immunity through laboratory tests for immunity exemptions, and statements indicating compliance with regular testing or the use of personal protective equipment for other exemptions.
Individuals are empowered to file complaints with the attorney general if they believe their exemption rights have not been offered or have been improperly applied or denied. The attorney general is responsible for investigating these complaints and may impose fines for noncompliance, which are set at $10,000 per violation for entities with fewer than 100 persons and $50,000 per violation for entities with 100 or more persons. The act is designed to take effect immediately upon passage.