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No Ban On COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Indiana – for now

Lauren Chapman/IPB News

The Indiana House dismissed an attempt by one lawmaker this week to ban any COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the state. But that likely won’t be the last time this issue comes up in the General Assembly.

Rep. John Jacob (R-Indianapolis) tried to introduce an amendment to the redistricting bill that would bar anyone from imposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate that includes negative consequences – suchas being fired, fined or banned from a facility.

The House refused to consider it. The amendment violated House rules, so there wasn’t even a vote.

But after the House floor session, when Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) was asked whether he supports the idea, he said he struggles with it.

“But I know that it’s going to be a discussion that’s taking place right now across members of our caucus," Huston said. "We’ll have, we’ll have – I’m sure that’ll be a discussion over the next couple months.”

READ MORE: How Is Indiana Distributing COVID-19 Vaccines? Here's What You Need To Know

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Huston has said repeatedly that lawmakers’ current work at the Statehouse is solely on redistricting. So, any legislative action on vaccine mandate bans shouldn’t come until next session.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.