The House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee heard HB 1001 on COVID-19 immunization matters authored by Rep. Lehman and co-authored by 55 other members of the House of Representatives for the third time. The bill establishes Indiana COVID-19 immunization law and addresses vaccination policies in the work environment, and institutes various measures to end the state of emergency and maximize available federal funds.
Rep. Lehman introduced Amendment #1 in response to the bill discussion at the previous two meetings. Amendment #1 was adopted by consent and covers the following issues:
- Statutorily authorizes the temporary licensure of retired and inactive medical personnel consistent with Governor Holcomb’s Executive Directives
- Authorizes employers to mandate employees to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine if four exemptions are permitted: when there is a medical reason, religious belief, employee agrees to be tested weekly, and the employee has natural immunity with retesting every six months
- Employers who violate the statutory vaccination policy will be penalized with an increase in their unemployment payment rate
- Employees who comply with the statutory vaccination policy and are discharged from employment are eligible for unemployment benefits
Rep. Hatfield introduced Amendment #2 that was adopted by consent. The second amendment removes the March 31, 2022, expiration date authorizing the Family and Social Services Administration Secretary to issue a standing order allowing a pharmacist to administer and dispense an immunization that is recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on immunization practices. Amendment #3, introduced by Rep. Hatfield, was not adopted.
The amended bill was passed 7-4.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1001