The Alabama’s legislature passed bills regarding vaccine mandate on Thursday and it will be into effect soon. The bill has made it easier to for people to opt out of federal vaccine mandate and it also prohibits minors from getting vaccinated without consent of their parents. The bill will now be return to Alabama’ senate which can accept it or send the bill to a conference committee.

Federal Vaccine Mandate

Federal vaccine mandate is having an impact on employers and workers as well. In New York City alone more than 19,000 employees are on unpaid leaves for not fulfilling the vaccine mandate. This will prevent employers from firing workers who claim religious or medical exemption to COVID-19 vaccination mandate. This bill will conflict with federal  vaccination mandates issued by Biden’s administration. According to the mandates all federal workers and federal contractors needs to be vaccinated by Nov. 22, 2021.

How to Apply for Exemption

State Rep. Mike Jones said that this legislature is designed to protect jobs on assumption that workers are entitled to exemption may face potential job termination. Therefore, workers facing possible job termination on basis of vaccine refusal are required to fill out a simple form. Employee will check mark the reason in the form due to which they could not get vaccinated. It may be religious reasons, certain acute medical condition or a health providers’ signed recommendation that the person should not be vaccinated. However, the proof  will not be required and any employee who is denied this exception can appeal to state Department of Labor.

Basically, this is a bill which will create exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccination for medical reasons. People have sincerely held religious beliefs. Jones told this to the committee. Protections provided by this section are to be liberally construed in favor of the employee. They will be into effect immediately upon passage and signed by the governor.

This legislation of vaccination exemption conflicts with federal vaccine mandates and non-compliance with federal mandates may result in loss of current or future contracts and jobs in Alabama state.

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