HCS/HB 1686 - Under this act, no public body, political subdivision, public school district, state department or agency, public official, peace officer, or person appointed by the Governor acting in an official capacity shall: (1) require any person to receive a COVID-19 vaccination; (2) condition any personal right or public service on a COVID-19 vaccination; or (3) impose any fine, tax, or criminal or civil penalty on a COVID-19 vaccination. This provision shall not apply to public colleges and universities where a COVID-19 vaccination is required for employees or some students in order to receive federal funds, but no general requirement that students receive a COVID-19 vaccination shall be permitted. Additionally, an employee shall be exempt from an employer's requirement to receive medical treatment as a condition of employment and shall not be subject to adverse employment action for declining to receive the treatment if: (1) the employee holds a sincerely held religious belief that forbids the employee from receiving the treatment and the reasonable accommodation of such belief would not pose an undue hardship on the employer; or (2) the vaccine is contraindicated for the employee according to a licensed physician. An employee whose rights under this provision have been violated shall be eligible for workers' compensation for any injuries sustained as a result of the employer's requirement for medical treatment. SARAH HASKINS
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