CHARLESTON, WV: "Governor Jim Justice added a bill to amend the code relating to COVID-19 vaccination requirements for employment in the public and private sectors. The new section provides for exemptions for medical contraindications and for those with religious beliefs that prevent an employee or prospective employee from taking a COVID-19 vaccine.

“I’ve stood rock solid that I’m against mandates,” Justice said. “I firmly believe that this country is founded upon our rights and freedoms. That’s really the ingredient that makes America great.”

The draft bill states that “current or prospective employees would be exempt from such immunization requirements upon the presentation of a certification to the employer, signed by a licensed physician or an advanced practice registered nurse” that has examined the employee stating that their physical condition is such that a COVID-19 immunization is contraindicated. The draft bill also says a covered employer cannot penalize or discriminate against a current or prospective employee for exercising exemption rights based on religious beliefs. The draft bill also has an exemption for an employee or potential hire who has developed COVID-19 antibodies from being exposed to the COVID-19 virus or has recovered from COVID-19 complications.

“They’re concerned they’re going to be losing their jobs because they understand the businesses can require a vaccine, they understand the mandate, but they have concerns where they think that they deserve an exemption for perhaps a medical reason,” Summers said. “Maybe it’s a young mother who is breast feeding. Maybe it is someone who is pregnant. I’ve heard many concerns from those individuals that they would like to have a medical exemption to taking the vaccine at this time.”

https://www.wtap.com/2021/10/14/bill-requiring-employers-provide-vaccination-exemptions-added-wva-legislature-special-agenda/