provide for conscience exemptions from certain vaccinations.
What changed between versions
Creates a new right for individuals to be exempt from vaccination requirements based on conscience or moral beliefs.
Defines key terms including 'conscience' (inner conviction about right or wrong), 'disciplinary action' (termination, demotion, loss of employment or student status), and 'vaccination' (FDA-approved vaccines).
Requires state agencies and entities to inform individuals of their conscience exemption rights before mandating vaccinations or conditioning job/student status on vaccination.
Amends existing tuberculosis and public health emergency provisions to acknowledge the new conscience exemption right.
Allows individuals to sue for damages and injunctive relief if their rights are violated, with potential recovery of threefold actual damages plus attorney fees.
Exempts healthcare facilities, schools, emergency medical treatment, court-ordered treatment, and the National Guard from the conscience exemption requirements.
