Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law on Friday prohibiting private employers from imposing COVID-19 vaccination mandates on employees or contractors.
The law entrusts the Texas Workforce Commission to investigate possible cases of non-compliance and establishes fines of $50,000 for employers who, after being found guilty, do not rehire the affected person.
"This law adds to the law that I already signed that prohibits state and local governments from imposing COVID mandates," Abbott said from the governor's mansion in Austin. "It's long past time to put COVID behind us and restore individual freedom to all Texans."
Texas will always protect personal liberties.
Today, I signed into law Senate Bill 7, which bans private employer COVID vaccine mandates in our state.
Thank you to Sen. @mayes_middleton and Rep. @leachfortexas for their leadership to get this done during Special Session #3. pic.twitter.com/YVUgfBZL6U
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 10, 2023
Republican state Senator Mayes Middleton, who is the main sponsor of the project, celebrated the "strongest ban on COVID vaccine mandates in the nation."
Texas has taken a bold stand for medical freedom - SB 7 is FIVE times stronger than the next strongest ban in Florida!
Senate Bill 7, the strongest ban on COVID vaccine mandates in the nation was signed into law today by @GovAbbott . Texas has taken a bold stand for medical freedom—SB 7 is FIVE times stronger than the next strongest ban in Florida! pic.twitter.com/DDNc2pgmXD
— Mayes Middleton (@mayes_middleton) November 10, 2023
"Texas employees - including medical and nursing students - can rest easy knowing that their fundamental right to work and provide for their families is protected under this law," said Senator Jeff Leach, who worked with Middleton to write the bill.
Today, @GovAbbott officially signed the nation’s strongest ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates. I was proud to write and carry this bill in the Texas House and thank Senator @mayes_middleton, @JackieLSchlegel, and many others who helped get this bill across the finish line. Texas… pic.twitter.com/lV7xurDHL7
— Jeff Leach (@leachfortexas) November 10, 2023
The opportunity of a lifetime, yet, something tells me this dream team is just getting started!
The opportunity of a lifetime, yet, something tells me this dream team is just getting started! #SB7 #medicalfreedom #governorssigning
Thank you, @mayes_middleton and @leachfortexas, true heroes for rising and leading the charge on medical freedom. I am forever grateful to you… pic.twitter.com/jlMBeWMWUp— Jackie Schlegel (@JackieLSchlegel) November 10, 2023
Read the full legislative text
SB 7 TEXAS by Santiago Adolfo Ospital on Scribd
