Bill Status of HB 4239   102nd General Assembly

Short Description:  COVID-19 RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION

House Sponsors
Rep. Adam Niemerg, Joe Sosnowski, Chris Miller, Brad Halbrook, Dan Caulkins, Blaine Wilhour, Paul Jacobs, David Friess, Andrew S. Chesney, Randy E. Frese, Thomas Morrison, Dave Severin, Dan Ugaste, Patrick Windhorst, Tom Weber, Amy Grant and Mark Luft

Last Action  View All Actions

DateChamber Action
  1/10/2023HouseSession Sine Die

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act

Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the COVID-19 Religious Exemption Act. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner because of such person's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to his or her belief. Requires all health care facilities to adopt written access to care and information protocols that are designed to ensure that belief-based objections do not cause impairment of patients' health and that explain how belief-based objections will be addressed in a timely manner to facilitate patient care. Provides that it is unlawful for any public or private employer, entity, agency, institution, official, or person to deny admission because of, to place any reference in its application form concerning, to orally question about, to impose any burdens in terms or conditions of employment on, or to otherwise discriminate against, any applicant, in terms of employment, admission to or participation in any programs for which the applicant is eligible, or to discriminate in relation thereto, in any other manner, on account of the applicant's refusal to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination that is against the applicant's beliefs. Provides that it is unlawful for any public official, guardian, agency, institution, or entity to deny any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or to condition the reception in any way of any form of aid, assistance, or benefits, or in any other manner to coerce, disqualify, or discriminate against any person, otherwise entitled to such aid, assistance, or benefits, because that person refuses to obtain, receive, or accept a COVID-19 vaccination contrary to the person's belief. Allows any person injured by any public or private person, association, agency, entity, or corporation by reason of any action prohibited by the Act to bring an action. Provides that a person who brings an action shall recover threefold the actual damages, the costs of the action, and reasonable attorney's fees, but in no case shall recovery for each violation be less than $2,500 plus costs of the action and reasonable attorney's fees. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Actions 
DateChamber Action
  11/30/2021HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Adam Niemerg
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Joe Sosnowski
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Chris Miller
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Brad Halbrook
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Caulkins
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Blaine Wilhour
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Paul Jacobs
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. David Friess
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Andrew S. Chesney
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Randy E. Frese
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Thomas Morrison
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Severin
  12/2/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Ugaste
  12/3/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Windhorst
  12/7/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Tom Weber
  12/29/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Grant
  1/5/2022HouseFirst Reading
  1/5/2022HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  1/19/2022HouseAssigned to Executive Committee
  2/10/2022HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Mark Luft
  2/18/2022HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
  1/10/2023HouseSession Sine Die

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