SPONSOR: Schroer
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Judiciary by a vote of 8 to 3. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight by a vote of 7 to 4.
Beginning in the 2022-23 school or academic year this bill prohibits school districts, public schools, and institutions of higher education along with their employees from requiring any employee or student to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or gene therapy treatment in order to be physically present at any events, premises, or facilities. Additionally, a vaccine may not be required as a condition for employment or for acceptance as a student. Testing for COVID-19 may not be done without written consent of the school employee, student, or in the case of a minor student by all parents or guardians.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development are authorized to investigate and report violations and penalty provisions are outlined in the bill.
The bill allows civil action to be taken against an individual who violates the provisions of this section for any physical, mental or emotional injury.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this is directly related to COVID- 19 vaccination in elementary and higher education settings. There are already exemptions for other vaccines but this would add this to the list, especially as far as getting in person education. Same with employees in this setting. Missouri is an at-will state and you can hire and fire for any reason other than discrimination. So we are an at-will state with an asterisk.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Schroer; Acie Hunter; Deborah Bruce; Kacey Dea Zelch; Stephen Jenkins; William C Corley; Aaron Nottingham; Adams-Anderson, Dorothy L; Aimee Ratcliff; Amy Reed; Laurie H; Valerie Lawrence; Agnieszka Lass-Napiorkowska Phd; Bret Hilbert; Byron Keelin, Freedom Principle Stl; Dianne Dodge; Elizabeth Stigall; Jessica Idleman; Johanna Beaudean; Julia Proleiko; Lisa Jones; Mark Branstetter; Melinda Branstetter; Michael Meyer; Michelle Jolly; Monica Heppermann; Sara Barnard; Sidney Estes; Sylwester Napiorkowski; Jason Moore; Brenda A Kimberlin; and Melody Moskowitz.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill submitted their testimony in writing, which can be found online. Testifying against the bill were Beth Newman; Susan Gibson; Pro Choice Missouri; Bobby Lawhon; Kathleen Hartmann; Lisa Douglas; Missouri State Medical Association; Emily Hornstra; Kathleen Hilmer-Kendall; Sheryl Foster; Arnie C. Dienoff; and the American Lung Association.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill submitted their testimony in writing, which can be found online.
Testifying on the bill were Twilah Hiari; and Sarah Fuller.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: