Montana legislature passes bill to prohibit employers requiring a vaccine

The Montana legislature has passed a bill prohibiting employers from requiring that their workers get a particular vaccine.

The legislation, House Bill 702, makes it unlawful for employers to refuse or bar employment or discriminate against a person based on whether they have been vaccinated.

It also prohibits a person or governmental entity from denying goods, services or employment opportunities based on vaccination status. Further, it prevents a public accommodation from limiting or excluding people based on whether they have been vaccinated.

The legislation clarifies that these requirements do not prohibit employers or governmental entities from recommending employees get vaccinated. It also doesn’t apply to vaccination requirements from schools or day-care facilities.

The Montana House passed the measure on Monday by a 67-32 vote, after the Senate passed it 32-18 on Friday, according to records on the state legislature’s website.

The now heads to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s (R) desk for his signature. It would take effect on July 1.

While the bill doesn’t specifically mention COVID-19 vaccines in its text, it prevents people from being required to receive “any vaccine whose use is allowed under an emergency use authorization or any vaccine undergoing safety trials.” ...