(WWJ) Heated testimony was heard in Michigan House committee Thursday about a bill that would prevent employers in the state from requiring their workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
House Bill 4471 would also, if passed, make it illegal for businesses to require employees to wear face masks at work, or to disclose their vaccination status.
The bill's lead sponsor, Republican Rep. Sue Allor, of Wolverine, said some in the public support such mandates, and some do not.
"Consideration must also be given to our civil liberties, which are the basic rights and freedoms guaranteed to individuals as protection from any arbitrary actions or other interference of the government without due process of law," she said.
Also speaking out in support of the bill was GOP Rep. Beth Griffin, of Van Buren County's Mattawan, who chairs the committee on Workforce, Trades, and Talent.
She said she'd like to see studies for businesses that are making decisions based on what she called one-sided information.
"I want you to be able to go to work, and not be forced to take anything into your body to keep your job," Griffin said.
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Among those to testify in opposition of the bill was Brad Williams, Vice President of Government relations Detroit Regional Chamber, who at one point was booed by some in the audience.
"We're not arguing for a vaccine mandate; we're not arguing against a vaccine mandate," Williams said. "But we are arguing for vaccines...because it's the only way out of pandemic and the endless battles against variants."
Williams said such a law would in fact chip away at business owners' rights.
"This represents the type of big government overreach many of the proponents of this legislation have long railed against, and attempts to implement a one-size-fits-all solution to the thousands of businesses across the state," Williams said.
Other organizations that have come out publicly against the bill include the Michigan State Medical Society, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and the Michigan Association of School Boards.
President of the Great Lakes Justice Center, attorney William Wagner, believes the bill as proposed is constitutional.
In fact, he said: "A law that would require, you know, mandates could violate the constitution...And I think that perhaps some of the state entities in Michigan — the way they're handling these things now — are gonna face costly lawsuits that's they're gonna lose."
The bill is still in the early stages. If passed in committee, it could move on to the full House for consideration.
Meanwhile, there is currently no blanket vaccine or mask mandate in effect in Michigan.
In recent weeks, more and more businesses have been setting their own rules.
One week ago, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued new guidance "strongly encouraging" all Michigan employers to make their employees wear face coverings while working indoors.
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