The Ohio House voted 58-32 on Thursday in favor of a bill that would weaken vaccination laws by expanding exemptions and prohibiting businesses from requiring proof of vaccination for customers or employees.
The move comes after a faction of GOP lawmakers threatened to withhold their votes for a congressional redistricting map unless they saw action on an anti-vaccine mandate bill.
House Bill 218 would block schools or employers from requiring students or workers to be vaccinated if the vaccine has yet to receive full approval by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
It would also allow students or employees to be exempt from vaccine requirements for medical reasons, instances of natural immunity or “reasons of personal conscience.” Only a written declaration would be required to claim a personal exemption.
The student and employee medical provisions would sunset after Sept. 30, 2025.
Rep. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, said the bill would protect students from discrimination based on their vaccination status and spare health care workers from termination if they don’t get the shot.
It would also prohibit public or private entities from requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Employees can file lawsuits or complaints with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission if they believe they experienced discrimination on the job.
Supporters pitched the bill as a matter of individual freedom to make health care decisions without government or employer interference.