Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has signed into law a bill that expands protections for employees who are subject to employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
The new law supplements existing state law that prohibits private employers and other entities from compelling or otherwise taking “adverse action” against a person to compel the person to provide proof of vaccination if the person objects to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine “for any reason.” The law defines “adverse action” to include denying employment or discharging, threatening or otherwise discriminating against an employee “in any manner that affects the employee’s employment, including compensation, terms, conditions, locations, rights, immunities, promotions, or privileges.” The existing law gives applicants and employees a right to seek injunctive relief and to recover compensatory damages and reasonable attorneys’ fees for violations.
Effective March 11, 2022, the new Tennessee law provides that “[a]n employer that requires a person to provide proof of vaccination or requires an individual receive the COVID-19 vaccine must grant the person an exemption to the policy if: (1) the person provides a valid reason for a medical exemption supported by a statement that has been signed and dated by a licensed healthcare provider; or (2) the person states that the person has a religious belief which prevents the person from complying with the policy.” For an exemption based on religious belief, the law prohibits the employer from...
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