Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector
photo by: Lucas Lord/Kansas Reflector
Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, testifies in support of his bill to prohibit employers from mandating COVID-19 vaccination for their employees.
TOPEKA — Sen. Mark Steffen pushed colleagues Thursday to support his legislation banning employers from requiring workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, saying lawmakers should reject the idea that society is more important than the individual.
Senate Bill 213 would prohibit employers from taking adverse action against employees who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, and would impose a $1,000 fine for employers who violate the restriction. Steffen said this would preserve freedom of choice for individuals and relieve employers from the liability of imposing a medical procedure on an unwilling worker.