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Bill would require Texas facilities to accept religious or conscious vaccine exemptions for healthcare workers, prompting divided testimony
Summary
Sen. Middleton’s SB 407 would require health care facilities to accept religious or conscience-based vaccine exemptions for employees; hospitals warned of risks to vulnerable patients while advocates said the change protects workers' liberty without removing infection-control options.
Sen. Middleton presented committee substitute language for Senate Bill 4-07, which would require health care facilities to recognize and accept employee exemptions to workplace vaccine requirements based on reasons of conscience or religious beliefs.
"Under current law, healthcare facilities may allow vaccine exemptions but are not required to do so," Middleton said, and argued the bill would prevent arbitrary denials of exemptions that forced workers to choose between their jobs and religious beliefs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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