STATEHOUSE (Dec. 2, 2021) – State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) announced today he co-authored legislation to help end the statewide public health emergency and protect Hoosier workers.
House Bill 1001 would allow Gov. Eric Holcomb's state public health emergency to expire by ensuring Indiana could continue receiving the same federal reimbursements for SNAP and Medicaid, and maintain the state's ability to hold voluntary community vaccination clinics. Holcomb recently announced that he will keep the state of emergency and the remaining, but limited, executive order in place until lawmakers take action in January.
Heaton said the legislation filed Monday at the Statehouse would also require businesses to accept medical and religious exemptions, if they require the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.
"We are working to responsibly end this state of emergency while maintaining specific policies from the executive order that continue to help our most vulnerable," Heaton said. "I also remain committed to strengthening vaccine exemptions in Indiana law to help protect Hoosiers' individual rights."
Heaton encouraged local workers and business owners to continue reaching out to him with questions and comments at h46@iga.in.gov or by calling 317-232-9816.
Visit iga.in.gov for more information on HB 1001, which will be considered during the 2022 legislative session kicking off in January.
-30-
State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes portions of Clay, Monroe, Owen and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
CAPTION: State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) (back left) joins fellow co-authors to file House Bill 1001 to help end the statewide public health emergency and protect Hoosier workers Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Heaton co-authored House Bill 1001 to allow the state public health emergency, in place until lawmakers take action in January, to expire by ensuring Indiana could continue receiving the same federal reimbursements for SNAP and Medicaid, and maintain the state's ability to hold voluntary community vaccination clinics. The proposal, which will be considered during the 2022 legislative session, would also require businesses to accept medical and religious exemptions, if they require the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.
