SCS/SBs 702, 636, 651, & 693 - This act creates various new provisions relating to COVID-19 vaccination mandates. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS
(Section 67.308)
This act modifies the current law prohibiting political subdivisions from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination to access transportation systems, services, or public accommodations. Under this act, no public or private entity receiving public funds or any other public accommodation shall require documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination to access transportation systems, facilities, services, or public accommodations, as defined in the act.
This provision is identical to a provision in SB 693 (2022).
K-12 STUDENTS
(Section 167.181)
No student shall be required, as a condition of school attendance or participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities, to be immunized against COVID-19 or to undergo any testing policy as an alternative to a COVID-19 vaccination. No public institution of higher education shall require a COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 diagnostic testing for a student to access facilities, services, or activities, including in-class attendance. This provision expires December 31, 2027.
This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SB 646 (2022), SB 693 (2022), SB 740 (2022), SB 1203 (2022), SB 1207 (2022), and HB 2615 (2022).
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
(Section 174.336)
The act prohibits public institutions of higher education from requiring a COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 diagnostic testing in order for a student to access facilities, services, or activities, including in-class attendance. This provision expires on December 31, 2027.
This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SB 693 (2022).
CHILD CARE CENTERS
(Section 210.003)
No child attending any day care center, pre-school, or nursery school shall be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of attendance until December 31, 2027.
This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SB 646 (2022) and a provision in SB 693 (2022).
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR EMPLOYEES
(Section 213.055)
The act makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to require employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment without permitting employees to be exempted for religious, moral, ethical, or philosophical beliefs or for medical reasons, including pregnancy, or previous exposure to and recovery from COVID-19. The employer shall not require the employee to provide any explanations or proof regarding his or her religious, moral, ethical, or philosophical beliefs or medical conditions relating to requesting the vaccination exemption. The Commission on Human Rights shall develop and make available to employers and employees a form that employees may use to request an exemption. No employer shall require an employee to undergo testing as an alternative to a COVID-19 vaccination. This provision expires December 31, 2027.
This provision is similar to SB 1064 (2022) and a provision in HCS/HBs 2358 & 1485 (2022).
This act contains an emergency clause.
SCOTT SVAGERA