The special session is to amplify existing laws or draft new ones that will provide additional protections for Floridians regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandates and employees who face what the Governor’s Office calls “unfair, discriminatory” actions by employers. The following items are proposed protective goals for lawmakers to consider during the coming special session of the Florida General Assembly:

• If someone is fired from their job for refusing an employer-required COVID-19 vaccine, then that person should be eligible for reemployment assistance.
• If someone has an adverse medical reaction from an employer-required COVID-19 vaccine, then that person should be eligible for workers compensation coverage.
• If an employer fires someone based on an arbitrary COVID-19 vaccine mandate, then the employer should not receive the benefits of current COVID-19 liability protections.
• If an employer fires someone solely based on COVID-19 vaccine status, then that business may not enforce a non-compete agreement against the employee.
• Employers must provide notice to employees of religious and health exemptions. Fired employees should have a right to sue if employers fail to provide such notice.
• DEO shall establish a program to connect employees terminated based on COVID-19 vaccine status with other employment opportunities.
• Reaffirm that government entities, including school districts, may not fire any employee based on COVID-19 vaccine status. Violating government entities should be held accountable.

Florida Speaker of the House, Chris Sprawls, has confirmed they are in communication with the Governor’s office for scheduling of this special session.

More to come on this!