Eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits in the case of an unwillingness to receive a vaccine. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, unless an exemption applies, if an individual quits his or her job, the individual is generally ineligible to receive unemployment insurance (UI) benefits until the individual earns wages or certain other amounts after the week in which the individual quits equal to at least six times the individual's weekly UI benefit rate. This bill creates an exemption for an individual who terminates his or her work due to the employee's unwillingness, as a condition of continued employment, to receive a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or furnish proof of having done so.

Also under current law, an individual may be disqualified from receiving UI benefits if he or she is terminated because of misconduct or substantial fault. The bill specifically provides that an employee's unwillingness, as a condition of continued employment, to receive a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or furnish proof of having done so, does not constitute misconduct or substantial fault.

Who's behind it

15 representatives are its authors⁠. All 15 are Republicans.

8 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DWD