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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
On February 1st, 2022, TN House Rep. Bruce Griffey (R-Paris-District 75) filed House Bill 2311, which would make the imposition of a Covid vaccine mandate or the requirement of a Covid vaccine passport a criminal offense in Tennessee. Griffey’s bill will be heard by the House Business and Utilities Subcommittee on March 9th, 2022.
The legislation, which is being sponsored in the Senate by Senator Joey Hensley (SB2025), specifically provides that it would be a criminal offense “for a person or entity to intentionally require that another person receive a COVID-19 vaccination or provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment or as a condition to enter any building, facility, or property that is generally open to the public.”
Griffey explained, “I don’t feel that the legislature went far enough during October’s special legislative session on this issue. This is about protecting an individual’s freedom to make their own medical decisions and the freedom of parents to make healthcare decisions for their children. Those individuals who want to get vaccinated should be able to do so. However, those individuals, who have concerns about the vaccine, should not have to live in fear that they may lose their jobs or their children may not be able to attend school or they may not be able to enter a business to purchase groceries if they don’t get vaccinated.”
“Liberty is one of the 3 innate rights given to us by God, our Father and Creator, and it is set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Tennessee law should reflect the value of liberty, and everyone should respect the right to live in freedom,” Griffey stated.
“This legislation is not only about preserving freedom, but it is also about serving as a voice for my constituents. I polled my district and received input from over 5,500 constituents as to their position on Covid mandates. In response to the question, “Do you support or oppose Covid vaccine mandates by the government?”, 95% responded that they oppose. In response to the question, “Do you support or oppose Covid vaccine mandates by private employers?”, 94% responded that they oppose. In response to the question “Should an employer be allowed to fire an employee for not getting a Covid vaccine?”, 93% responded “No”. With respect to vaccine passports, 95% responded that they oppose,” continued Griffey.
“I have listened to my constituents, and I intend to ensure that their voices are heard loud and clear at the Capitol and that the freedom of all Tennesseans across the state is protected,” Griffey concluded.
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The bill would make it a criminal offense for any employer to require potential employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine or provide proof of vaccination in order to obtain a job. Requiring vaccination to enter buildings that are normally open to the public would also be a criminal offense.
There is an allowance made within the bill to allow healthcare facilities that treat individuals who are considered to be high risk to require the COVID-19 vaccine for entry.
First time violators would be charged with a Class C misdemeanor. Second offenses would be considered a Class B misdemeanor and would also be subject to a minimum $1000 fine. Third offenses and beyond would be Class A misdemeanors and would also come with a fine of no less than $2,500.
Note from the Tennessee Conservative: Just a reminder that many good Conservative bills die in subcommittees and committees before they ever see the light of day on the House or Senate floor.
If you support this bill, contact the subcommittee members in advance of their meeting. The contact information for the Republican members (who hold the super-majority vote) can be found below.
House Business and Utilities Subcommittee – Republican Members
Clark Boyd (Chair) – rep.clark.boyd@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7086
Rebecca K. Alexander – rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2251
Kent Calfee – rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658
Patsy Hazlewood- rep.patsy.hazlewood@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2746
John B. Holsclaw, Jr. – rep.john.holsclaw@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7450
Curtis Johnson – rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4341
Eddie Mannis – rep.eddie.mannis@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2287
Kevin Vaughan – rep.kevin.vaughan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1866
Greg Vital – rep.greg-vital@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3025
Jason Zachary – rep.jason.zachary@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2264
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
