S.C. businesses battle proposed ban on vaccine mandates
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A bill that will await a debate in Columbia this week has sparked fears it could harm South Carolina’s pro-business reputation and cost the state jobs if enacted.
Those are the concerns of South Carolina’s business leaders.
But ers say their goal is to protect workers.
The bill, called the “Medical Freedom Act,” has drawn sharp criticism from South Carolina leaders, including the governor, over fears it could cripple the state’s response to public-health emergencies.
Now another part of that legislation faces big opposition from a different group – South Carolina’s business community.
Bob Morgan with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce testified that businesses worry the measure, which is advancing in the Senate, could cost jobs.
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The bill would prohibit private employers from requiring workers to receive novel vaccines or gene therapy – facing fines or even prison time for violations.
“We just think it’s best for the state not to tell companies that’s a risk they’re going to take if they come to South Carolina,” Morgan said.
The director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has told senators this bill would also prohibit hospitals and health care facilities from requiring their workers get an annual flu shot – because that could be considered a novel vaccine.
“We have the employee rights, but we also have to balance that with the employer — Prisma, nursing homes — responsibilities to protect the patients,” said Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Colleton.
ers of the legislation say they don’t want South Carolina workers to have to choose between a jab and a job.
“Quite personally, I don’t feel that someone who’s living paycheck to paycheck should be put in that situation of, ‘You’re not going to be able to pay your mortgage if you don’t take this shot,’” said Sen. Richard Cash, R-Anderson.
And they argue these mandates would impact workers beyond their jobs.
“They’re gonna tell you something between 7 to 5, or 7 to 7, or 9 to 4, whatever their hours are. If they’re mandating you take a novel vaccine that’s not proven, as soon as you take that, you’re stuck with it for life,” said Sen. Shane Martin, R-Spartanburg, the bill’s lead sponsor.
But Morgan says lawmakers should leave business decisions to businesses.
“Nobody has more at stake in ensuring the health and safety of their workforce,” he said. “Let’s let them decide.”
Most recently, this bill advanced out of committee and onto the Senate floor – where it faces resistance.
Whether that opposition will stave off a debate on this bill – or whether there will be enough among the Republican majority to bring about a debate – remains to be seen.
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