Senate committee rejects bill that would have limited COVID-era masking, testing and vaccine requirements for subsidized entities

House Bill 96, a proposal to bar entities that receive state or federal subsidies from requiring masks, COVID testing or vaccinations, failed to pass the Labor, Health & Social Services Committee after extended testimony from public health, hospitals, colleges and business groups.

Sponsor Jeanette Ward described the measure as protecting individual liberty and preventing discrimination by businesses or organizations that receive taxpayer subsidies. “The bill eliminates discrimination for not wearing a mask, not receiving a so-called vaccine, or not getting tested,” Ward told the committee, and said the measure would apply only to COVID mitigation policies (masking, testing, vaccination) and not to personal protective equipment required in operating rooms or industrial…