COLUMBUS, Ohio — Testimony continues in the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee Thursday regarding House Bill 435. Last week a group of lawmakers introduced the bill aimed at banning vaccine mandates in Ohio. Compared to previous bills, officials say, H.B. 435 lends more flexibility.
House Bill 435 is the second recent bill attempting to ban vaccine mandates. H.B. 248 was introduced in June but failed to gain favor amongst Republicans.
Steve Stivers, Ohio Chamber of Commerce President, voiced his disapproval of the two proposed bills.
“It is time for lawmakers to stop trying to dictate workplace policies that interfere with the ability of employers to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees and others who enter places of business.”
“Businesses continue to do the best they can in responding to the many challenges and consequences of the COVID crisis. They do not need to be micro-managed by the government telling them how to best run their business.”
House Republicans said the bill “would empower workers and students to refuse mandated COVID-19 vaccinations.”
Members of the House Health Committee said, “the legislation would prohibit any entity from mandating a COVID-19 vaccine that has not been fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and prohibit government-ordered COVID-19 vaccine passports.”
