A bill allowing vaccine mandate exemptions is making its way through the West Virginia House of Delegates.
It would require businesses who mandate COVID-19 vaccinations to offer certain religious and medical exemptions.
Governor Jim Justice calls it the "Law of the Land."
“From the standpoint of telling our businesses what they can do in regard to mandates, we absolutely need our businesses to decide that. I have stood rock solid that I am totally against these mandates. But truly, I stand behind the rights of our private businesses.”
According to the bill, a medical exemption could be obtained from licensed medical doctor or licensed advanced practice registered nurse who could say a person could be medically harmed, or they've developed antibodies from a prior exposure.
A religious exemption could be claimed by a notarized certification.
The bill was added to the special session's agenda Tuesday evening. On Thursday morning, members of the House of Delegates Minority Caucus held a press conference, opposing the bill.
Many said not enough time has been given to consider everything.
“At 10 o’clock at night, the governor rolls out this bill and it should go to the health committee,” Delegate Shawn Fluharty said. “We're in the middle of a pandemic, we're dealing with immunizations and public health policy about COVID-19. What committee did it go to? Government organization. How long did that meeting last, 30 minutes?”
WVU Medicine also issued a statement opposing the bill:
“WVU Medicine opposes the COVID-19 exemptions bill in its current form. We would urge the Legislature to push the pause button and work with key stakeholders and employers across West Virginia to ensure this bill does not unintentionally derail their efforts to protect their employees and the broader public.”
The house bill had its second reading Thursday morning. Next, it will move to third reading and passage.
The third reading is set to take place on Friday.