STATEHOUSE (Dec. 1, 2021) – State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus) announced today that he is co-authoring 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, protecting Hoosiers from losing existing benefits, and maintain the state's ability to hold voluntary community vaccination clinics. Lauer has been working closely with legislative leadership in conjunction with Gov. Holcomb to retire the state of emergency and protect Hoosier jobs from recent federal mandates.
"I believe Hoosiers have a constitutional right of individual freedom which must be respected," Lauer said. "No employee should be placed in a position to choose between their job and not taking a vaccine because it would violate their religious beliefs or for legitimate medical reasons."
Lauer said the legislation filed Monday at the Statehouse would also require businesses to accept medical and religious exemptions and recognize natural immunity, if they require the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment due to recent federal mandates.
"This legislation would help alleviate many Hoosiers' concerns surrounding vaccine mandates by strengthening exemptions under Indiana law," Lauer said. "As we move closer to the start of session, I'll also continue listening to constituents' input on this issue and others. I also remain committed to working on responsibly ending the statewide public emergency and protecting our God-given rights under the Constitution."
Lauer encouraged local workers and business owners to continue reaching out to him with questions and comments at h59@iga.in.gov or by calling 317-232-9657.
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. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus) represents House District 59,
which includes portions of Bartholomew County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus) (second from left) joins State Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) (center) as he files House Bill 1001 to help end the statewide public health emergency and protect Hoosier workers Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Lauer 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.
