Mississippi House Bill HB1450

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Vaccinations; require employers that mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for employees to provide exemption process.

Impact

The bill is posited as a safeguard against government overreach regarding vaccination mandates. Supporters argue it provides essential protections for workers facing potential unemployment due to such mandates, thereby ensuring that personal choice remains an element in the decision-making process about vaccination. It also aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with COVID-19 testing by stipulating that costs may be covered by state or federal funding, particularly for individuals whose health benefit plans do not cover such testing expenses.

Summary

House Bill 1450 establishes a framework for employees in Mississippi who are subject to mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. The bill requires employers that mandate vaccination or immunization to provide a specific exemption process. This process must include options that allow employees to either show a negative COVID-19 test result or provide proof of immunity from the virus, thereby enabling them to comply with health mandates without being vaccinated. The law is designed to protect employees by ensuring they are not subject to termination for adhering to these mandates if they participate in the exemption process.

Contention

Despite its protective intent, HB1450 may face contention regarding the balance of public health and employee rights. Opponents could argue that allowing such exemptions undermines public health efforts and the efficacy of vaccination mandates, which are intended to curb the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the stipulation that the bill’s provisions will expire unless extended by the Legislature raises concerns about long-term employee protections and the ongoing changes in public health policy, especially in the context of evolving viral variants.