Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits private employers from imposing COVID-19 vaccination mandate for certain employees.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a private employer from imposing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for any full-time, part-time, or contract employee without providing individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt-out of such requirement based on medical reasons, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):

• Pregnancy or anticipated pregnancy;

• Religious reasons;

• COVID-19 immunity;

• Periodic testing; and

• The use of employer-provided personal protective equipment.

• Specifies if an employer receives a completed exemption statement authorized by subsection 1, the employer must allow the employee to opt-out of the employer's COVID-19 vaccination mandate (Sec. 1-2).

• Authorizes the Attorney General to consider any of the following factors in determining the amount of fine to be levied for a (Sec. 1-2.b):

• Whether the employer knowingly and willfully violated this law;

• Whether the employer has shown good faith in attempting to comply with this law;

• Whether the employer has taken action to correct the violation;

• Whether the employer has previously been assessed a fine for violating this law; and

• Any other mitigating or aggravating factor that fairness or due process requires.

• Specifies if an employee is terminated for refusing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccination mandate and the employer did not offer and properly apply the exemptions required under this law (Sec. 1-2.b):

• Such refusal may not be deemed misconduct for reemployment assistance; and

• Work is not deemed suitable and benefits may not be denied to the terminated employee for refusing to accept new work if the terminated employee is otherwise eligible and the position requires compliance with a COVID-19 vaccination mandate contrary to this law.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits private employers from imposing COVID-19 vaccination mandate for certain employees.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a private employer from imposing a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for any full-time, part-time, or contract employee without providing individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt-out of such requirement based on medical reasons, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):

• Pregnancy or anticipated pregnancy;

• Religious reasons;

• COVID-19 immunity;

• Periodic testing; and

• The use of employer-provided personal protective equipment.

• Specifies if an employer receives a completed exemption statement authorized by subsection 1, the employer must allow the employee to opt-out of the employer's COVID-19 vaccination mandate (Sec. 1-2).

• Authorizes the Attorney General to consider any of the following factors in determining the amount of fine to be levied for a (Sec. 1-2.b):

• Whether the employer knowingly and willfully violated this law;

• Whether the employer has shown good faith in attempting to comply with this law;

• Whether the employer has taken action to correct the violation;

• Whether the employer has previously been assessed a fine for violating this law; and

• Any other mitigating or aggravating factor that fairness or due process requires.

• Specifies if an employee is terminated for refusing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccination mandate and the employer did not offer and properly apply the exemptions required under this law (Sec. 1-2.b):

• Such refusal may not be deemed misconduct for reemployment assistance; and

• Work is not deemed suitable and benefits may not be denied to the terminated employee for refusing to accept new work if the terminated employee is otherwise eligible and the position requires compliance with a COVID-19 vaccination mandate contrary to this law.

Full Bill Text