Michigan lawmakers could consider measures critics say are “forced vaccination” bills.
Lansing Democrats introduced House Bills 6205, 6206, 6207, 6208, 6209 and 6210 amid the flurry of last-minute legislation they would like to pass during the lame-duck session and before they lose their trifecta control of the state government. State Rep. Phil Skaggs, D-East Grand Rapids, introduced the measures.
House Bills 6205 and 6210 have been referred to the House Committee on Health Policy, 6206 and 6207 to the House Committee on Education, and 6208 and 6209 to the House Committee on Families, Children and Seniors.
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“The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ biggest goal is to increase vaccine uptake,” Michigan for Vaccine Choice said on a voter alert page. “What better way to increase vaccines than to impose on your right as a parent/guardian or even the owner of a daycare to an exemption?
“House Bills 6205 through 6210 take away your right to an exemption, your child’s right to a free public education and your right to maintain the privacy of yours and your child’s private health information,” the group added.
According to the group, House Bill 6208 requires people working in daycares and group homes to be vaccinated and does not include an exemption. House Bill 6206 removes religious and philosophical language from the school code, effectively removing religious protection, while House Bill 6205 would require an “explanation” of religious beliefs on a form, which the group says is unconstitutional.
“Additionally, there’s so much in these bills, they’re so poorly written, and they’re being sent to three different committees,” the group said in a back-and-forth exchange on X. “It’s quite purposeful, don’t you think, so that people remain confused?”
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Unsurprisingly, Republican lawmakers gave the push a frosty reception.
“Michigan has enough ‘laws’ that are Unconstitutional. The 1st Amendment guarantees the right to religious freedom. It does not state that you must explain your religion- period,” Rep. Jamie Thompson, R-Brownstown, said in a post to X. “HB 6205 is more government overreach. I do not co-parent with the government. If you do not comply will your child not be allowed in school during ‘outbreaks’?
“Democrats remove informed consent in order to have an elected abortion in Michigan claiming My Body My Choice Guess what, My Child My Choice,” Thompson added. “You do not need to have any more information than that. Anything else is Unconstitutional.”
Vaccine mandates have a likely ally in Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
In December 2021, Whitmer said she still supported President Joe Biden’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate. The comments followed a decision from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati to overturn a ruling that paused a nationwide vaccine requirement for employers with at least 100 employees.
“We’ve got a chunk of people that have not yet been vaccinated and may not ever get vaccinated and what does that mean for our ability to deliver services to the people of our state?” the Associated Press quoted Whitmer as saying at the time.
Vaccine mandates have been a controversial topic nationwide, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have also been costly for some Michigan employers.
Last month, a federal jury awarded Lisa Domski, a devout Catholic, $12.7 million for not complying with a healthcare provider’s vaccine mandate, CBS News reported. The former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan IT specialist filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan Southern Division, alleging she was fired after she refused the COVID-19 vaccine, citing her religious opposition to it.
Additionally, Health Care Dive reported last month that Ascension Michigan agreed to give back pay to workers who sought religious exemptions from its COVID-19 vaccination mandate. According to the report, the employees were terminated or placed on “indefinite leave.”