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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to exemptions from certain vaccination requirements. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 21, Labor Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter H-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER H-1. DISCRIMINATION BASED ON EXEMPTION FROM REQUIRED |
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COVID-19 VACCINATION |
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Sec. 21.421. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "COVID-19" |
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means the 2019 novel coronavirus disease. |
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Sec. 21.422. EXEMPTION FROM REQUIRED COVID-19 VACCINATION. |
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An employer, labor organization, or employment agency shall allow |
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an individual to claim an exemption from a required COVID-19 |
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vaccination based on a medical condition or reasons of conscience, |
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including a religious belief. |
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Sec. 21.423. PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATION BASED ON EXEMPTION |
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FROM REQUIRED COVID-19 VACCINATION. (a) An employer commits an |
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unlawful employment practice if the employer fails or refuses to |
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hire, discharges, or otherwise discriminates against an individual |
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with respect to the compensation or the terms, conditions, or |
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privileges of employment because the individual claims an exemption |
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described by Section 21.422. |
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(b) A labor organization commits an unlawful employment |
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practice if the labor organization excludes or expels from |
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membership or otherwise discriminates against an individual |
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because the individual claims an exemption described by Section |
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21.422. |
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(c) An employment agency commits an unlawful employment |
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practice if the employment agency classifies or refers for |
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employment, fails or refuses to refer for employment, or otherwise |
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discriminates against an individual because the individual claims |
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an exemption described by Section 21.422. |
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SECTION 2. Section 224.002(c), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(c) The policy must [may] include procedures for a covered |
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individual to be exempt from the required vaccines based on reasons |
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of conscience, including a religious belief. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to an unlawful employment practice that occurs on or after the |
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effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the |
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legislative session. |