2024 Medical Freedom Bills in Indiana
We have a few bills introduced at the beginning of the 2024 legislative session that are medical freedom friendly! Here’s what you need to know:
HB 1072 – Help Protect Health Care Students from Forced Vaccination
Summary: Provides that a student enrolled in a health profession education program may not be required to receive an immunization as a condition of: (1) participating in; or (2) obtaining; clinical training or clinical experience required by the program. Allows a student to bring a civil action against an entity for a violation of these provisions.
Authors: Rep. Becky Cash, Rep. Jake Teshka
Read more at: Stand for Health Freedom
HB 1071 – Exceptions to Required Immunizations
Summary: Provides that a person may not be required to receive an immunization if: (1) the entity requiring an immunization has certain documentation that the person received the immunization required by the entity; (2) the immunization is medically contraindicated; (3) receiving the immunization is against the person’s religious belief; or (4) the person refuses to permit the immunization after being fully informed of the health risks. Makes conforming amendments.
Authors: Rep. Becky Cash
Read more at: Stand for Health Freedom
HB 1334 – Employer Immunization Requirements
Summary: Provides that an employer may require an immunization only if the employer respects the employee’s right to refuse an immunization. Provides that an employee shall be free from coercion or an adverse action based on the employee’s refusal of an immunization. Requires an employer that offers an immunization at no cost to an employee to provide certain notice to the employee. Provides that a violation may be reported to the department of labor (department). Requires the department to impose a civil penalty of $5,000 per incident. Allows an employee to bring a civil action against an employer to enforce the provisions.
Author: Rep. Bruce Borders
Read more at: H4ML.org
There are some more interesting bills that pertain to overall health as well:
HB 1085 – PFAS Water Safety Standards
Summary: Requires the Indiana department of health (department) to establish state maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in water provided by public water systems. Provides that maximum contaminant levels established by the department: (1) must be protective of public health, including the health of vulnerable subpopulations; and (2) may not be less stringent than any maximum contaminant level or health advisory promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Author: Rep. Ryan Dvorak
PFAS are also known as “forever chemicals” and pose a significant threat to human health. There are dozens of articles about PFAS on The Defender.
HB 1074 – Ban on High Fructose Corn Syrup as a Food Ingredient
Summary: Prohibits businesses from using high fructose corn syrup in food in Indiana
Author: Rep. John Bartlett
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is a cheap additive used in many foods and has been linked to the obesity epidemic. Learn more on The Defender.
A proposed bill to keep your eye on:
SB 272 – School Based Health Centers and Student Health
Summary: Requires a school corporation to provide certain health services to students. Allows a school corporation to contract with a health care provider, health system, or community partner to establish a school based health center (center). Sets forth requirements to establish a center. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for a state plan amendment to allow school corporations and centers to seek Medicaid reimbursement for certain covered services. Requires the Indiana department of health to develop first aid guidelines for school emergencies that include certain information. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation may not conduct a certain vision test or hearing test on a student without the prior written consent from the student’s parent or guardian.
Author: Sen. Andy Zay
Stand for Health Freedom has excellent articles and handouts on why guardrails need to be put in place for SBHC’s. Why do we need guardrails? So that SBHC’s don’t give your teen Zoloft (which carries a black box warning) without your consent.
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