Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SJR0127

Introduced
1/30/23  
Engrossed
2/27/23  
Refer
3/2/23  
Refer
3/15/23  
Refer
3/29/23  
Enrolled
4/10/23  

Caption

A RESOLUTION to express support for the Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots (AMERICANS) Act of 2023.

Impact

Should the AMERICANS Act be passed, it would significantly alter the current vaccine policies enforced by the Department of Defense, specifically in relation to COVID-19. The resolution emphasizes the need for changes to the military's stance on vaccination as it relates to individual rights and moral convictions. In doing so, it seeks to protect the rights of those service members who have personal or medical reasons for refusing vaccination, reflecting broader societal discussions on personal health choices and government mandates.

Summary

SJR0127 is a Senate Joint Resolution expressing support for the Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots (AMERICANS) Act of 2023. The resolution endorses the proposed legislation that targets military service members who were involuntarily separated from service due to refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This act would aim to reinstate those service members and provide them with various compensations, including back pay and adjustment in retirement pay calculations to account for their time of involuntary separation due to vaccine status.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SJR0127 stem from the implications it would have on military discipline and public health policy. Proponents argue that reinstating discharged service members is a matter of fairness and addressing wrongful treatment, particularly for those exercising their conscientious beliefs. Conversely, opponents may view this legislation as undermining necessary health protocols within the military and potentially setting a precedent for future health-related exemptions, implicating the government’s ability to manage public health crises effectively.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TN HB511

AMERICANS Act Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2025

TN SB29

Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2023 or the AMERICANS Act This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate. Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason. Under the bill, DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers. Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions. This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.

TN HB453

Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2023 or the AMERICANS Act This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate. Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason. Under the bill, DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers. Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions. This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.

TN SB117

Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2025 or the AMERICANS ActThis bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate.Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason.DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers.Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions.Members who were separated from the Armed Forces for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine are not required to repay any bonuses and must be reimbursed if they repaid any portion of a bonus prior to this bill's enactment.This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.

TN SR117

Memorializes Congress to pass the AMERICANS Act of 2023 to reinstate any service member removed from any branch of the military for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

TN SR372

A resolution expressing concern about the spreading problem of book banning and the proliferation of threats to freedom of expression in the United States.

TN SR857

A resolution expressing concern about the spreading problem of book banning and the proliferation of threats to freedom of expression in the United States.

TN SR7

A resolution condemning the federal vaccination mandate for members of the military and urging state and federal authorities to take remedial actions for negatively impacted service members.

TN SR643

A resolution recognizing the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and expressing support for the designation of April 2024 as the "Month of the Military Child".

TN SJ17

Joint resolution recognizing veterans and military service

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.