Indianapolis - The 2022 Indiana legislative session is in full swing as lawmakers debate hot-button issues, from vaccine mandates to guidelines on school curricula.
The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would limit what private employers can do when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination. With House Bill 1001, workers can opt for weekly testing instead of getting vaccinated. Employers will pay for the tests, but may apply for partial reimbursement from the state. If an employee's vaccination exemption is denied, they will be able to apply for unemployment benefits.
This is a debate that extends to the Supreme Court. Just last week, Justices rescinded President Biden's federal vaccine mandate for businesses with 100 or more workers. Following the ruling in Washington, lawmakers here in Indiana say the bill is more important now than ever. However, it is receiving pushback from medical and occupational professionals across the state, who say it may be a step in the wrong direction. While experts are pointing to signs of an imminent decline in some areas, the state continues to experience record-high COVID cases and hospitalisations.
"This is not the time to make it more difficult for employers to set their own vaccination policy," said Kevin Brinegar, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Employees working at facilities that accept Medicare and Medicaid recipients will reportedly still have to comply with a federal mandate. The Supreme Court upheld the Biden administration's vaccine requirement for healthcare workers. Still, many Hoosiers are concerned about the wider impact of House Bill 1001, including attorney Grayson Harbour.
"This would have huge implications for the state and affect the vast majority of Indiana employers," Harbor said.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are adding their voices to the nationwide debate over "critical race theory" and how to teach race topics in the classroom. They are considering House Bill 1134, which would ban the teaching of certain concepts—including "students of any race, religion, gender or political affiliation are superior or inferior to another."
A provision in the bill allows parents to exclude their children from certain educational activities under specific circumstances.
Teachers' unions and other groups are concerned about the state's approach. Some call it outright racist.
A coalition of leaders of faith, civil rights and public education rallied in the Statehouse to protest House Bill 1134. Sarah Williams of the Marion County Commission on Youth says the bill does more than just regulate the curriculum.
"It's not about transparency at all," Williams said. "It's about blindfolding young Hoosiers from the reality of our history, and thinking critically about the issues of the day."