Rep. Hulsey’s bill preventing forced COVID-19 vaccinations passes House

Legislation that seeks to prohibit Tennessee state and local governments from forcing someone to get a COVID-19 vaccine against their will has passed the Tennessee state house.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Bud Hulsey of Kingsport, passed in a 72-20 vote on Wednesday. One West Tennessee lawmaker, who knows several families that have lost loved ones from COVID-19, says this bill gives off the wrong message about the ongoing efforts to vaccinate Tennesseans.

“I really think this is very dangerous, I think we ought to encourage people rather than to discourage people,” said Rep. Johnny Shaw, of Bolivar.

Hulsey disagreed with Shaw’s comments.

“Medical tyranny is no less tyrannical than any other form. I have lost friends myself and I am not in favor of anybody dying from this virus,” said Hulsey.

One amendment added to the legislation includes the following wording:

“Prohibits a state agency or department from promulgating a rule, and a political subdivision of this state from promulgating, adopting, or enforcing an ordinance or resolution, that requires medical treatment for those who object to the medical treatment on religious grounds or by right of conscience. This provision will not apply to a student of a public institution of higher education who is subject to the policies or rules of a private office that delivers healthcare services or of a healthcare facility that is not owned or controlled by the public institution of higher education, when the student is participating in a program of study or fulfilling educational requirements for a program of study in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or another healthcare profession.”

The state senate is now considering the measure.

Photo Courtesy: Tennessee State Government