W.Va. coronavirus vaccination exemption bill signed into law by Gov. Justice

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has signed a bill that allows unvaccinated residents the opportunity to decline the coronavirus vaccination and keep their jobs.

Under House Bill 335 passed in the recent legislative special session, companies cannot discriminate based on an employee’s vaccination status and employees can use two main exemptions – medical and religious.

The bill goes into effect in 90 days.

For the medical exemption, someone’s doctor can sign off on it after a physical exam saying the employee is worse off getting the vaccine and therefore shouldn’t.

The religious exemption is very broad. All someone has to do is sign a personal affidavit saying the vaccine goes against his or her religion. No religious leader is required.

Under the legislation, school districts are mentioned among the list of entities that cannot discriminate. The list goes on to include all types of state, county or city offices and any for-profit or not-for-profit organizations.

Meanwhile, the governor signed a total of 40 bills that were passed during the special session that was called by Justice on Oct. 8, including bills related to legislative and congressional redistricting.