2023, Health, Religious Liberty

Secures religious exemptions to vaccination requirements for employees.

HB 637 / SB 1109

Bill Description

Employees, Employers – As introduced, requires an employer that requires an immunization as a condition of employment or continued employment to exempt from the immunization requirement a person who files a signed, written statement that the immunization conflicts with the person’s religious tenets or practices; prohibits an employer from taking adverse action against a person who files a statement of religious objection.

Bill Sponsors

Bill Co-Sponsors

House: Capley, Fritts, Richey, Martin B, Davis, Todd, Doggett, Raper, Burkhart

TLRC Statement on Bill

Requires an employer that requires an immunization as a condition of employment or continued employment to exempt from the immunization requirement a person who files a signed, written statement that the immunization conflicts with the person’s religious tenets or practices; prohibits an employer from taking adverse action against a person who files a statement of religious objection.

Simply put, in Tennessee, we should protect religious exemptions for individuals that have a religious objection to immunizations and those individuals should not have their livelihoods jeopardized.

This bill also authorizes a person who is injured as a result of a violation of these provisions to maintain a private right of action for injunctive relief and to recover compensatory damages and reasonable attorney’s fees against an alleged violator.

Secures religious exemptions to vaccination requirements for employees.

HB 637 / SB 1109

Bill Description

Bill Sponsors

Rep. Jody Barrett

Sen. Janice Bowling

Bill Co-Sponsors

TLRC Statement on Bill

Vote Result:

TLRC Position:

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