Committee introduces RS 32793 after divided debate over medical-intervention protections for businesses and schools

The House State Affairs Committee introduced RS 32793 after extended debate about a draft that would define and restrict "medical intervention" and limit private entities from denying services or admission based on a person's medical-intervention status.

Representative Josh Tanner, who presented the RS, said it restores language from a prior Senate bill (Senate Bill 1023 as amended) and clarifies that nothing in the RS supersedes provisions in Title 33, Chapter 5 concerning exclusion of pupils with contagious diseases or school closures. "Before you is RS 32793... this still is the exact same bill that was actually done. Senate bill 10 23 as amended that was passed the governor had vetoed," Tanner told the committee.

Much of the hearing centered on the RS's definition of "medical intervention" and how that definition would affect employers, day‑care operators and schools. Representative Deigert described employer liability concerns and the real-world cost of workplace injuries, saying, "Those 2 non displaced fractures cost our business over $300,000," arguing employers should not assume full financial responsibility if employees refuse recommended medical care.

Other lawmakers raised scenarios about day‑care exclusion notices, employer wellness incentives and whether businesses could condition employment or admission on vaccination or treatment status. Representative Tanner repeatedly emphasized that the RS, as drafted, would prevent entities from forcing medical interventions but would not prevent recommendations: "They can still give whatever recommendations they want. They can say we would like you to do certain aspects of things, but they cannot force."

Representative Mickelson offered a motion to tighten the definition, proposing that "medical intervention means vaccination, drug, injection or treatment that would alter the health or biological function of a person." Representative Hostetler said he supported the substitute motion to introduce the RS, calling it a bill that "goes straight to the heart."

Committee members first considered an amended substitute motion by Representative Green to return RS 32793 to the sponsor; that amended substitute failed on a roll call (12–3). The committee then took up Representative Scott’s substitute motion to introduce RS 32793; the substitute motion passed on a roll call, 11–4. Chairman Crane closed the hearing and said the panel will meet again as it awaits additional senate-sent bills.

The RS revisits issues the governor previously flagged in the vetoed Senate bill and includes language pointing to Title 33, Chapter 5 (school authority over excluding pupils with contagious or infectious diseases). Committee debate left unresolved questions about interactions with employers' workplace-safety obligations and existing workers' compensation law; sponsors said the RS is intended to protect individual medical decision‑making rather than remove employers' responsibilities for workplace hazards.

Because members split on returning the RS to the sponsor and on introducing it, the committee recorded roll-call votes for those motions: the amended substitute to return the RS failed 12–3; the substitute to introduce RS 32793 passed 11–4. The RS will remain before the committee for drafting and possible amendment.