COLUMBUS – The Republican speaker of the Ohio House has once again put the brakes on a GOP bill restricting employers’ ability to require that workers receive the coronavirus vaccine.
The announcement from Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) Wednesday afternoon suggests the bill has little chance of passing the House in its current form.
All major business and health groups oppose the legislation, and the Republican president of the Ohio Senate has also signaled his disapproval.
The head of the state’s Democratic Party called on Republicans to drop the proposed legislation altogether, saying it undermines public health efforts and is keeping lawmakers from dealing with more important issues.
“Republicans are wasting time discussing a bill that puts Ohioans and businesses at risk. This bill is dangerous and going nowhere, it’s time to move on,” party chair Elizabeth Walters said.
The bill allows employees to claim one of three exemptions to a mandatory workplace vaccine, including showing proof of antibodies from a previous COVID-19 diagnosis.