HB 1604 (2022)
Require state/county medical facilities to accept requests for exemption from COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Repeals the exemption of county nursing homes, the state hospital, and any other medical facility or provider operated by the state or a political subdivision from the "medical freedom in immunizations" law. In other words, this bill would prohibit any of those health care facilities from mandating COVID-19 vaccination.
The House amended the bill to instead require health facilities to grant an exemption to an employee who requests a medical or religious exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. A request for medical exemption would have to include supporting documentation. A request for religious exemption would only require a signed form.
The Senate amended the bill to include the intent of SB 333. That bill includes case management agencies in the definition of home health care providers licensed as health facilities.
