The Idaho House has approved several bills aimed at issues surrounding COVID vaccine mandates and employee rights.
One bill would make it easier for Idaho residents to get worker compensation if they become ill after taking an employee-mandated vaccine. It received overwhelming bipartisan support and advanced on a 67 – to – 3 vote.
Another bill advancing to the Senate was a measure that would prohibit questioning the sincerity of people claiming religious exemptions from vaccinations. It passed 46-24 despite concerns it was merely a way for people to claim a religious exemption without any type of religious faith.
The House also approved a bill that allows exemptions to mask mandates in schools. Another bill aimed at preventing what backers call discrimination based on vaccine status.
Three other bills will also advance to the Senate, including one that prevents employers from asking employees about whether they have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Another that prohibits requiring proof of being vaccinated to enter or use state-owned public venues.
The last bill passed by the House would add medical, religious, philosophical and natural immunity exemptions for employees from vaccine requirements by employers. That bill applies to all vaccines, not just COVID-19 vaccines.
