According to an article in the August 19, 2021, edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the controversial House Bill (HB) 248 which prohibits mandatory vaccinations, is set to resurface in the House Health Committee on Tuesday, August 24.
Lawmakers typically resume business in September after the summer break, but Health Committee Chairman Representative Scott Lipps (R-Franklin, OH) made “urgent requests” to House leadership for the committee to hear the bill before then. Four hours of testimony from opponents and proponents are scheduled for Tuesday, August 24.
HB 248, referred to by supporters as the Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act, prohibits virtually everybody from requiring a vaccine, even employers such as hospitals, and forbids “discriminatory treatment” based on vaccination status. It also requires schools to notify parents that children can be exempted from vaccines. The legislation by Representative Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester, OH), applies to all vaccines, not just COVID-19 vaccines.
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians strongly opposes HB 248 and has submitted written testimony against the bill.