To clarify the applicability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to rules issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and to amend such Act to prohibit emergency temporary standards with respect to vaccines, and for other purposes.
This bill places certain restrictions on employer-based vaccination requirements. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department of Labor from issuing an emergency temporary occupational safety or health standard that requires employers to ensure their employees receive a vaccine. In addition, the bill expressly applies the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to occupational health and safety rules issued by Labor. Currently, RFRA prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest when using the least restrictive means.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Labor and Employment
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of LaborEmployment discrimination and employee rightsFirst Amendment rightsImmunology and vaccinationReligionWorker safety and health
To clarify the applicability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to rules issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and to amend such Act to prohibit emergency temporary standards with respect to vaccines, and for other purposes.
USA117th CongressHR-5480| House
| Updated: 10/5/2021
This bill places certain restrictions on employer-based vaccination requirements. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department of Labor from issuing an emergency temporary occupational safety or health standard that requires employers to ensure their employees receive a vaccine. In addition, the bill expressly applies the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to occupational health and safety rules issued by Labor. Currently, RFRA prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest when using the least restrictive means.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of LaborEmployment discrimination and employee rightsFirst Amendment rightsImmunology and vaccinationReligionWorker safety and health