Iowa now requires employers to allow exemptions from a COVID vaccine mandate if an employee submits a statement that says either:
- Receiving the vaccine would be injurious to the health and wellbeing of the employee or a person residing with the employee; or
- Receiving the vaccine would conflict with the tenets and practices of the employee’s religion.
The law applies to all employers with one or more employee in Iowa.
Although federal law already requires employers with 15 or more employees to grant exemptions based on disability or religious belief, those laws have exceptions for when the exemption would cause the employer an undue hardship. This new Iowa law doesn’t have any exceptions to the exemptions.
Whether state laws that hinder employer vaccination programs are legal is currently an open question and depends on whether the OSHA ETS survives current legal challenges. We will continue to monitor these developments and update accordingly.
Disclaimer:The information contained herein is not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. Employers should closely monitor the rules and regulations specific to their jurisdiction(s) and should seek advice from counsel relative to their rights and responsibilities.