“And if this is not an expansion of government, what is it?” “If this is not a mandate, what is it?” said Rep. “We are not able to support any mandate or penalties on businesses that impacts their abilities to make informed decisions on how to best maintain their operations and that could lead to unintended consequences,” Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb said in a statement.ĭemocrats amplified the complaints of business leaders arguing against the bill. Kansas business leaders said the bill put employers in the impossible position of choosing to violate either federal or state laws. He said he’s yet to see anyone who has been vaccinated get very sick from a breakthrough infection. “There is no doubt in my mind as a practicing, living, breathing, primary care physician that this vaccine is incredibly safe,” Eplee said.Įplee said all of the people now hospitalized for COVID-19 in Atchison are unvaccinated. He criticized vaccine opponents for spreading misinformation regarding its safety. John Eplee, a Republican physician from Atchison, initially supported the House version but ultimately opposed the bill. The legislation ultimately passed 77-34 in the House and 24-11 in the Senate. The bill would now send money collected from fines to the fund. One of the concerns about the bill was that allowing unemployment payments would further strain the state’s unemployment trust fund. Employers could avoid the fines by reinstating the worker and paying the lost wages Larger employers - those with more than 100 workers - could be hit with fines up to $50,000. Small businesses could be fined up to $10,000 for each violation. Expanding the time allotted for investigations was a key to Kelly promising to sign the bill. The original bill passed by the House gave the agency only 25 days to investigate complaints. He would then file a civil action in court. The agency must investigate the complaints and deliver findings to Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt within 60 days. The bill requires employers to grant no-questions-asked exemptions to workers who request them based on sincerely held religious beliefs.Įmployees who are denied exemptions can file grievances with the Kansas Department of Labor. “That’s what many of our constituents are facing with this out-of-control federal government.” Stephen Owens, a Republican from Hesston. “Can you imagine the threat of losing your job right before Christmas?” said Rep. Republican leaders said they demanded a special session because they needed to protect Kansans from mandates scheduled to take effect before the start of their regular session in January. That drew an objection from a large business advocacy group. In addition, it makes people who are fired or quit over vaccine requirements eligible for unemployment payments. The measure also establishes a process for imposing large fines against Kansas employers who deny exemptions. The bill makes it easier for Kansans who object to getting the vaccine to claim exemptions from employers covered by the mandates as well as those that implemented their own requirements. The bill approved late Monday was sent to Democratic Governor Laura Kelly, who promised in a one-sentence statementto sign it, and did so on Tuesday. (KPR/KNS) - Republicans in the Kansas Legislature used a one-day special session to pass legislation aimed at circumventing Democratic President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
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