Montana’s Legislature passed a bill Monday that would prohibit employers from requiring any vaccines as a condition of employment, The Hill reports.
The legislation, House Bill 702, makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for employers to refuse or bar employment based on a person’s vaccine status or whether they have an immunity passport.
It also prohibits a person or governmental entity to deny services, goods, privileges, licensing, educational opportunities or employment opportunities based on whether they have been vaccinated.
However the bill still allows employers to strongly recommend vaccines and “does not in any way prevent any employer from taking reasonable safety precautions. It also doesn’t apply to vaccination requirements from schools or day care facilities.
The Montana House passed the measure on Monday by a 67-32 vote, after the Senate passed it 32-18 on Friday, according to The Hill’s report.
The legislation now heads to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s (R) desk for his signature. It would take effect on July 1, The Hill reports.
The measure appears to be targeted at a health system accused of requiring employers to get the COVID-19 vaccination. According to The Associated Press, some who supported it were employees of Benefits Health System in Great Falls, who were told they would have to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to continue working there.