HB 2198: employee termination; COVID-19 vaccine; compensation

Sponsor: Representative Kaiser, LD 15

Caucus & COW

Overview

Provides severance compensation or reemployment for employees who were terminated due to refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.

History

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The newly identified novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a worldwide pandemic of respiratory illness called COVID-19.

Pursuant to A.R.S. 23-353, if an employee is discharged from service, an employer must pay the employee the wages they are due within seven days or the current pay period, whichever is sooner.

Provisions

1.   Stipulates employees terminated for not receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment must receive:

a)   severance compensation; or

b)   reemployment at the same or similar position. (Sec. 1)

2.   Applies retroactively to December 1, 2021. (Sec. 2)

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6.                                     HB 2198

7.   Initials PRB                     Page 0 Caucus & COW

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