STATEHOUSE (Nov. 30, 2021) – Lawmakers representing Johnson County announced today they are co-authoring legislation to help end the statewide public health emergency and protect Hoosier workers.
According to State Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland), 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.
"Hoosiers have endured a state of emergency for nearly two years now, and through conversations with our community, it is clear Johnson County residents are ready for this emergency to end," Davis said. "This legislation would help do just that, while also strengthening vaccine exemptions for Hoosier workers."
State Rep. John Young (R-Franklin) said the legislation filed Monday at the Statehouse would require businesses to accept medical and religious exemptions, if they require the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.
"Indiana has always placed a premium on personal freedoms and liberties," Young said. "Medical decisions should be made by individuals and their health care providers. Those workers with medical reasons or deeply held religious beliefs should still be able to receive an exemption for COVID-19 vaccine requirements."
"I've heard from so many about being forced to choose between getting vaccinated or losing their job," said State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford). "We must ensure that individual rights are protected and this bill helps strengthen Indiana law by clarifying exemptions."
Local workers and business owners can continue reaching out to Davis at h58@iga.in.gov, Young at h47@iga.in.gov and May at h65@iga.in.gov with questions and comments, or by calling 1-800-382-9841.
Visit iga.in.gov for more information on HB 1001, which will be considered during the 2022 legislative session kicking off in January.
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State Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) represents House District 58,
which includes a portion of Johnson County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. John Young (R-Franklin) represents House District 47,
which includes portions of Johnson and Morgan counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) represents House District 65, which includes all of
Brown County, most of Lawrence County and parts of Monroe, Jackson and Johnson counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PICTURED: State Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) (right) joins fellow lawmakers to file House Bill 1001, which would help end the statewide public health emergency and protect Hoosier workers Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Davis 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.
