Republican state lawmakers have introduced bills that would ban forced COVID-19 immunization but at least one representative is surprised that there haven’t been more proposals filed.
“This is definitely something that the body at large wants to discuss rather rapidly,” said Rep. Tony Lovasco (R-St. Charles). “I'm sure there are others in the works that haven't been filed yet since pre-filing just began last week. We've got a few more weeks before our session starts. Not everyone pre-files.”
Dec. 1 was the first day that members of the House and Senate could file legislation for the upcoming session.
“There are bills out there that will say school districts cannot add to the list of mandated vaccines for children,” Lovasco told the St. Louis Record. “I've seen one that will prohibit businesses from requiring vaccines of their employees at all, which is a whole different category but that's something that will be discussed. We will also see bills that deal with whether or not local government entities can make requirements separate from what the state decides to do.”
The proposals are being introduced in response to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requiring employers nationwide with a minimum of 100 employees to develop, implement and enforce a COVID-19 vaccination policy. That rule, however, was placed on hold when the Fifth Circuit Court of Federal Appeals issued an opinion that stayed the mandate, according to media reports.
“This is not only an imposition on individual liberty but just a complete lack of regard for state’s being able to self-govern,” Lovasco said. “It’s definitely something that everyone wants to address. There are even folks on the left that ultimately would like to see some clarity here because anytime you've got things being imposed by rule, businesses, and individuals have no concept of really what it is that they need to be doing.”
As previously reported, Republican House Speaker pro tem John Wiemann pre-filed proposed legislation that is scheduled for debate on Jan. 5.
“It says that if COVID-19 vaccination is required, then proof of prior infection must be considered as being equivalent,” Lovasco added. “I definitely think that's something we ought to be talking about especially as the definition of fully vaccinated evolves and changes. As science and our understanding of the virus changes, we need to be cognizant that if people are going to be subject to any kind of requirements that at least it's done fairly across the board.”