The Idaho House on Tuesday passed legislation to make it a crime for any Idaho employer to require COVID-19 vaccines or require workers to disclose their vaccine status, though the bill drew strong bipartisan opposition and lots of debate.
HB 581, proposed by Rep. Charlie Shepherd, R-Pollock, passed on a 39-29 vote after an hour and a half of debate, sending the bill to senators for consideration.
“This bill ensures the individual rights of employees to not be discriminated against in the workforce because of their vaccine status in regards to COVID-19 or any other emergency-use authorization vaccine,” Shepherd told the House.
The Idaho bill applies employers of all sizes and types; it has exemptions only for the federal government and entities “employing health care professionals for the purpose of providing health care services.” Violations would be misdemeanors punishable by fines of up to $1,000….