Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) signed the “vaccine mandate exemption bill” into law on Friday that allows constituents to seek medical and...
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) signed the “vaccine mandate exemption bill” into law on Friday that allows constituents to seek medical and religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The law also guarantees unemployment benefits for those who are fired for refusing to get the vaccine.
Reynolds also stated that she is joining a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s unconstitutional vaccine mandate for federal contractors.
Iowa joins Alaska, Arkansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming to push back against the vaccine mandate to all employees.
“As I’ve stated publicly numerous times, I believe the vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19 and we’ve provided Iowans with the information they need to determine what’s best for themselves and their families, but no Iowan should be forced to lose their job or livelihood over the COVID-19 vaccine,” Reynolds said in a statement.
Iowa public radio reported:
Reynolds said in a statement Friday the new law will protect Iowans’ freedom to make their own health care decisions.
According to Republican lawmakers who proposed the bill, employees seeking a medical or religious exemption simply have to state they believe the COVID-19 vaccine would hurt their health or would conflict with their religion. It doesn’t require them to get proof from a doctor or religious leader.
If someone gets fired for not getting vaccinated, the new law will allow them to remain eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
Rep. Henry Stone, R-Forest City, said some Iowans are facing a deadline of getting the COVID-19 vaccine or losing their job. He said lawmakers started hearing concerns from more and more Iowans after the Biden administration announced they would require vaccinations in large workplaces.
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