Thirteen Republican states have already imposed a ban or limitation on such mandates, but Democrat-led states may have the option of extending rules for state and healthcare workers into the private sector.
Vaccines are mandated for state workers in 19 states while they are banned in 10 states (according to the National Academy for Health and State Policy.)
Here is a breakdown of mandates in the states:
Thirteen states that have banned or limited vaccine mandates on employees:
· Arizona: Ban applies to all employers except healthcare. Healthcare institutions are permitted – but not mandated – to require vaccinations. However, they must provide ‘reasonable accommodation’ for any who are unvaccinated.
· Arkansas*: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.
· Florida: Ban scope includes ALL private and public employers, and employers who violate the ban face a $10,000 per employee violation fine.
· Georgia: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.
· Idaho: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.
· Indiana: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.
· Kansas: Ban scope includes all private and public employers.
· Montana: Ban applies to all employers except healthcare. Healthcare institutions are permitted to ask employees to voluntarily share their status and may assume that anyone who does not share their status is unvaccinated. However, they must provide ‘reasonable accommodation’ for any who are unvaccinated.
· New Hampshire: Generally bans the mandate of vaccines as a condition of employment unless a ‘direct threat’ exists (see link for definition) that cannot be addressed by other means or a reasonable accommodation
· North Dakota: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.
· Tennessee: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.
· Texas: Ban scope includes all private and public employers.
· Utah: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.
Some of these Republican states could widen their ban on mandates. Other GOP states not on the list could also be considering measures.
States that mandate for health care workers, ‘vaccination or termination’
· Colorado, Maine, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington
States that mandate for health care workers, ‘vaccination or testing and masking’
· Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland
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