Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB2978

Introduced
2/7/22  
Refer
2/8/22  

Caption

Public health; employer liability; fines; vaccination mandates; effective date.

Impact

The introduction of HB 2978 is expected to have significant implications for healthcare facilities and their vaccination policies. By instituting employer liability, the bill offers protection to healthcare workers who seek exemptions from vaccination mandates, potentially impacting hospital staffing and operations. The financial penalties imposed could serve as a deterrent for hospitals considering strict enforcement of such policies, thereby influencing how vaccination mandates are managed across the state.

Summary

House Bill 2978 aims to establish guidelines regarding vaccination mandates for healthcare professionals in Oklahoma. Specifically, the bill defines a 'health professional' and imposes penalties on hospitals that refuse to grant medical, religious, or philosophical exemptions to mandatory vaccination policies. If a health professional is terminated for violating such policies, the hospital could face significant fines equivalent to the annual salary of the terminated employee. These funds would then be distributed to the affected health professional by the Oklahoma Department of Labor.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2978 include concerns regarding public health and the potential undermining of vaccination efforts aimed at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics may argue that providing exemptions and imposing fines on hospitals could lead to decreased vaccination rates among healthcare workers, thereby jeopardizing patient safety and community health. However, supporters of the bill contend that it upholds individual rights and liberties for healthcare professionals, ensuring that they are not forced to comply with vaccination mandates against their beliefs or medical conditions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

OK HB3788

Public health; employer liability; fines; vaccination mandates; effective date.

OK SB1740

Employer vaccination mandates; requiring employers to allow employees to be exempted from vaccination mandate. Emergency.

OK HB3156

Labor; prohibiting vaccination or immunization mandates; prohibiting certain liability for employers; effective date.

OK HB3555

Vaccination mandates; definitions; condition of employment; adverse action; remedies; complaint requirements; Attorney General; fines; effective date.

OK HB1057

Public health; vaccination; employment; effective date.

OK SB1296

Vaccinations and immunizations; providing exemption form for use by employees to refuse to disclose vaccination status to employers. Emergency.

OK HB1671

Public health; vaccination; employment; effective date.

OK SB765

Vaccinations and immunizations; providing exemption form for use by employees to refuse to disclose vaccination status to employers. Emergency.

OK HB3878

Employers and employees; employer vaccination mandate exemptions; emergency.

OK HB3111

Vaccination mandates; definitions; condition of employment; adverse action; remedies; complaint requirements; Attorney General; fines; effective date.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.