Enact Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act

     Sponsored by Jennifer Gross and cosponsored by Thomas E. Brinkman Jr., Gary Click,
Rodney Creech, Bill Dean, Jay Edwards, Ron Ferguson, Sarah Fowler Arthur, Kris Jordan
Mike Loychik, Riordan T. McClain, Derek Merrin, Reggie Stoltzfus, A. Nino Vitale, Scott Wiggam, and Paul Zeltwanger.

     The bill would allow Ohioans to decline a COVID-19 shot – or any other vaccine – because of religious reasons, medical reasons or natural immunity.  It is backed Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom, a group that advocates for the right to choose or refuse any medical treatment or procedure 

Provisions of HB 248

In the event a person, political subdivision, public

official, or state agency requires an individual to be

vaccinated, all of the following apply:

•  The individual may decline the vaccination 
•  To decline the vaccination, the individual must either submit a written or verbal statement to the person or public official or state agency in which the individual declines to be vaccinated
•  The written statement or verbal declaration must include at least one of the following reasons for declining the vaccination:

                      (a) Medical contraindications;

                      (b) Natural immunity;

                      (c) Reasons of conscience, including religious convictions

•  A , person, political subdivision public official, or state agency shall not discriminate against, deny service or access to, segregate, require a facial covering or other vaccination status label for, or otherwise penalize an individual financially or socially for declining a vaccination as described in this section.
•  An  individual's vaccination exemption status shall not be disclosed.
•   The requirements of this section shall apply to the immunizations described in section 3313.671 and Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code