Friday, March 4, 2022
After nearly two years, Gov. Holcomb signed Executive Order 22-09 on March 3 to relieve Indiana of the public health emergency. This order followed the governor's signage of House Enrolled Act 1001.
Last fall, the Biden Administration started to push a national COVID-19 vaccine mandate on businesses in an effort to reduce positive cases. In order to protect the rights of employers and employees and end the public health emergency, the General Assembly passed HEA 1001 to grant private businesses the option of mandating the vaccine, while also protecting the individual freedoms of employed Hoosiers.
The law allows private businesses to voluntarily enact a COVID-19 vaccine mandate and outlines exemptions for employees to opt out of the requirement. Government entities, such as K-12 schools and public universities, are prohibited from requiring proof of vaccination. However, government-owned hospitals can enact a mandate in an effort to protect the health of vulnerable patients if they so choose.
Employees may receive an exemption from private business-led mandates if they have religious obligations, a signed statement from a health care professional that they should not be vaccinated for medical reasons, or a laboratory test conducted in the past three months indicating they have immunity against COVID-19.
The law also states employers may choose to require exempted employees to undergo periodic COVID-19 testing if the testing does not create an undue burden on the employee.
It is important for the state to protect the rights of residents and private businesses, and HEA 1001 gives Hoosiers peace of mind after two years of uncertainty.
For more information on HEA 1001 and Indiana's public health initiatives, click here.
