as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/31/2022 06:42pm
Engrossments | ||
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Introduction | Posted on 02/28/2022 |
A bill for an act
relating to employment; providing natural immunity exemption in lieu of employer
vaccination or testing requirements; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 181.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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(a) The terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings
given them.
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(b) "Employee" means a person who performs services for hire for an employer and
includes an officer of a corporation.
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(c) "Employer" means a person who has one or more employees and includes an
individual, corporation, partnership, association, nonprofit organization, group of persons,
designated employee, or agent who discloses information on behalf of an employer, state,
county, town, city, school district, or other governmental subdivision.
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(d) "Health care provider" means any of the following individuals licensed to practice
under their specific designation in any state or territory of the United States:
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(1) a registered nurse;
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(2) a chiropractor;
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(3) a physician;
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(4) a physician assistant; or
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(5) a pharmacist.
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(a) The exemption under paragraph (b) shall apply if an employer not
otherwise prohibited by law requires, as a condition of an offer of employment or continued
employment, that an employee or prospective employee:
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(1) receive a COVID-19 vaccination and show proof of having received the vaccination;
or
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(2) be regularly tested for COVID-19.
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(b) In lieu of an employee or prospective employee meeting the COVID-19 vaccination
or testing requirements under paragraph (a), an employer shall accept documentation of
natural immunity against COVID-19, which may be demonstrated by any of the following:
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(1) documentation that is signed by a health care provider and dated after March 1, 2020,
showing that the employee or prospective employee tested positive for COVID-19;
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(2) a serology test that demonstrates the presence of naturally occurring antibodies
against COVID-19 in the employee or prospective employee's blood; or
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(3) a notarized letter written by the employee or prospective employee that states to the
best of their knowledge they recovered from COVID-19.
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An employer that requires an employee or prospective
employee to meet the COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements under subdivision 2,
paragraph (a), shall inform the employee or prospective employee in writing of their right
to an exemption under subdivision 2, paragraph (b).
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(a) No employer may retaliate against an employee or prospective
employee in the terms and conditions of their employment for exercising the right to an
exemption under subdivision 2, paragraph (b).
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(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a), retaliation includes requiring an employee or
prospective employee to:
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(1) self-isolate;
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(2) wear a face covering; or
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(3) work in an area outside the employee's usual work area
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if the employer does not require the same of an employee or prospective employee who
meets the COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements under subdivision 2, paragraph
(a).
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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