SB218: Bill Text

LRB-2695/1

TJD:wlj

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Senate BILL 218

July 28, 2015 - Introduced by Senator Lasee, cosponsored by Representatives Thiesfeldt, Gannon, Tittl, Kremer, Macco and R. Brooks. Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services.

SB218,1,2 An Act to create 252.22 of the statutes; relating to: limitations on requiring vaccination against influenza.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill prohibits any employer, including the state and local governments, from demoting, suspending, discharging, or otherwise discriminating against an employee or contractor for refusing to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza. An employee, under the bill, includes any intern and any volunteer. The bill also prohibits any employer from doing any of the following: refusing to hire a prospective employee or renew the contract of an employee or contractor for refusing to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza; or denying an affiliation in a network of similar employers to an individual who refuses to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB218,1 Section 1. 252.22 of the statutes is created to read:

SB218,1,4 252.22 Influenza vaccination. (1) Definitions. In this section:

SB218,1,6 (a) "Employee" includes any intern and any volunteer, regardless of whether the individual is compensated.

SB218,2,5 (b) "Employer" means any person, firm, corporation, state, county, town, city, village, school district, sewer district, drainage district, long-term care district, or other public or quasi-public corporation, as well as any agent, manager, representative, or other person having control or custody of any employment or place of employment or of any employee.

SB218,2,14 (2) Prohibitions on employers. No employer may demote, suspend, or discharge an employee for refusing to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza; refuse to hire a prospective employee for refusing to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza; refuse to renew the contract of an employee or contractor for refusing to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza; deny to an individual an affiliation in a network of similar employers including, notwithstanding s. 628.36 (2) (b) 3., an insurance network affiliation for refusing to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza; or otherwise discriminate against an employee or contractor for refusing to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza.

SB218,2,15 (End)