COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio House Republicans are on the verge of passing a bill expanding exemptions for Ohioans who do not want to get the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the medical community is not fully on board.

What You Need To Know

  • Members of the Ohio House Health Committee held the first and only hearing on House Bill 435 on Tuesday

  • The bill would ban K-12 schools, public and private colleges and businesses from mandating any COVID-19 vaccine that has not been fully approved by the FDA

  • The bill is expected to pass the Ohio House as early as Wednesday before heading to the Senate

Members of the Ohio House Health Committee, who held the first and only hearing on House Bill 435 on Tuesday, had only minutes to read the bill beforehand. Despite that, the Republicans on the committee rubber stamped the bill, which now goes to the full House for a vote where it will likely be passed by end of the day Wednesday.

The House GOP leadership team is moving a new COVID-19 vaccine bill quickly through the Statehouse after it failed to get previous iterations to the finish line.

"We believe we are taking a very sensible, middle ground approach to this situation," said Ohio House Assistant Majority Floor Leader Rick Carfagna, R-Genoa Township.

Carfagna and Ohio House Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, introduced the 'Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Fairness Act,' on Tuesday banning K-12 schools, public and private colleges and businesses from mandating any COVID-19 vaccine that has not been fully approved by the FDA. Students and employees could also refuse to take the shots based on medical reasons, natural immunity, personal reasons or religious beliefs.

"It empowers Ohioans by ensuring availability of clear, unambiguous COVID-19 vaccine mandate exemptions. It balances personal medical freedom and protecting the health and the safety of Ohioans," said Carfagna.

Upper Arlington Democrat Allison Russo disagreed. Russo, an epidemiologist herself, objected to the bill being passed. She said something this important should not be rushed through without public input from the medical community.

"We are facing a tremendous crisis in our healthcare system right now that is being driven by distrust among people and unvaccinated population,” said Russo. “And this does absolutely nothing to build trust in the vaccine and the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, and, frankly, I think continues to put more people at risk.”

The bill allows hospitals to still require its staff to be vaccinated from COVID-19. Yet, the Ohio Hospital Association said "this bill at this time is the wrong policy.”

The bill lasts until July 2023 as does a law shielding first responders, businesses and schools from COVID-19 related lawsuits.

Because House Republican leadership is backing this bill, it is all but a foregone conclusion it will pass the House with or without Democratic support. The bill would then head to the Senate for consideration.