Thread by @WIBC_EricBerman

Debate begins in Indiana House on final vote on bill limiting employer #vaccinemandates.

House Majority Leader Matt Lehman: "This bill is not about the vaccine itself; it's about the people affected" by mandates. #INLegis

Lehman points to nurses who testified they fear getting fired for being unvaxed, after working for 9 months of pandemic before #vaccine became available.

Last week's #SCOTUS ruling means those nurses aren't affected by this bill; they're still required to get vaxed or get fired.

Under bill, non-health care employers can still require vaccine, but must grant religious exemptions or documented medical exemptions. Those workers can still be required to be tested up to once a week.

State entities, including universities, couldn't require vaccine.

.@eddelaney86, a certain no vote, points out the bill only applies to the #CovidVaccine, not other vaccines.

DeLaney is repeatedly accusing Lehman of seeking to cast doubt on the vaccine, a charge Lehman denies. He says he's vaccinated and encourages others to do so, but says the bill is about workers' rights to decide for themselves.

DeLaney: SCOTUS ruling blocking #OSHA requirement left two entities in charge of #VaccineMandates: employers and state governments. "We're one of those two players, and we're about to abdicate our responsibility."

Rep. John Jacob (R-Indianapolis) is a no vote on the #vaccinemandates bill -- not because he supports the vaccine (he doesn't) but because he says the bill doesn't go far enough. He says the testing requirement = a treatment requirement, and there are no penalties for employers.

Lehman closing debate. He addresses DeLaney comment that bill has been driven by "anecdotes and anger." He says constituents haven't been angry, but "in tears" over employer requirements. As for discouraging the vaccine, he says people who haven't gotten it by now aren't gonna.

Bill restricting #VaccineMandates passes 57-35. It goes to the Senate.