Amended Bill That Guarantees Healthcare Workers’ Exemptions In Committee Tomorrow

Photo Credit: Family Research Council / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

A Tennessee bill that would guarantee acceptance of  healthcare workers’ religious or medical exemptions is on the Commerce Committee’s calendar for tomorrow.

House Bill 1867 (HB1867), sponsored by Representative Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville-District 14) and companion Senate bill (SB1823), sponsored by Jack Johnson (R-Franklin-District 23) originally sought to require all employers with a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy to grant an exemption to the policy to anyone who provided a medical reason supported by a statement from a licensed healthcare practitioner or a religious reason.

On Wednesday, the bill was amended to cover only healthcare workers if a CMS mandate is in effect that requires them to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

During that meeting, Zachary noted that legislation passed last year through the omnibus bill prohibits private businesses from taking any adverse action against unvaccinated employees nor can they compel an employee to show proof of vaccination. An adverse action can include requiring only unvaccinated employees to wear masks or to test for COVID-19, increasing the cost of employee’s healthcare insurance if they are unvaccinated, or firing employees for refusing to get vaccinated.

While some companies have decided to move ahead with mandatory vaccination policies despite Tennessee law, Zachary said that Tennesseans at risk of losing their jobs for non-compliance have a right under Title 14 to sue and they should consult with a lawyer.

As originally written, the bill would make any violations punishable by a civil penalty of $10,000.

The bill also specifies that a healthcare practitioner that provides a signed statement supporting an exemption is acting within their scope of practice and will be protected from disciplinary action by health-related boards. 

HB1867 is on the calendar of the House Commerce Committee and scheduled to be reviewed tomorrow, February 15th.

The companion Senate Bill (SB1823) has been placed on the calendar of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and is also scheduled to be reviewed tomorrow.

If you support this bill, contact the Committee members in advance of their meetings. The contact information for the Republican members (who hold the super-majority vote) can be found below.

House Commerce Committee:

Kevin Vaughn (Chair) – rep.kevin.vaughn@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1866

Rush Bricken (Vice-Chair) – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7448

Rebecca Alexander – rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2251

Clark Boyd – rep.clark.boyd@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7086

Kent Calfee – rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658

Jeremy Faison – rep.jeremy.faison@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6871

Kirk Haston – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0750

Patsy Hazlewood – rep.patsy.hazlewood@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2746

John Holsclaw Jr. – rep.john.holsclaw@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7450

Curtis Johnson – rep.curtis.johnson@captiol.tn.gov – (615) 741- 4341

Susan Lynn – rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7462

Eddie Mannis – rep.eddie.mannis@captiol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2287

Jerome Moon – rep.jerome.moon@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5481

Dennis Powers – rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3335

Mike Sparks – rep.mike.sparks@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6829

Greg Vital – rep.greg.vital@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3025

Jason Zachary – rep.jason.zachary@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2264

Senate Commerce & Labor Committee:

Paul Bailey (Chair) – sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3978

Art Swann (1st Vice-Chair) – sen.art.swann@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0981

Frank Niceley (2nd Vice-Chair) – sen.frank.niceley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2061

Jack Johnson – sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2495

Shane Reeves – sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1066

Steve Southerland – sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3851

Bo Watson – sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3227

Ken Yager – sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1449 

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.