Fourth District State Representative Lynn Bechler recently pre-filed legislation for consideration during the 2022 Regular Session to ensure vaccinations and masks remain a personal choice.
According to Bechler, he pre-filed BR 358 and BR 359 last week aimed at preventing COVID-19 vaccine employer mandates and mask mandates at educational institutions and child care facilities.
The Republican state representative from Marion said in a release these are personal choices that are best left to individuals. He went on to say if our government wants to play a role in that decision-making, it should be engaged in educating and informing people to provide real evidence. He said Kentuckians should not be forced to do what some bureaucrat deems best for them. He noted young Kentuckians have experienced the most consequences from this pandemic. He added, “when will enough be enough?”
BR 358 would prohibit employers from discriminating against unvaccinated employees, and BR 359 would prohibit state and local boards of education from requiring facial coverings. Bechler pointed out a provision in BR 359 also allows parents to essentially opt-out of face-covering requirements at licensed, regulated, or publicly funded childcare facilities including daycares.
Rep. Bechler said that simply put this legislation would prevent businesses from forcing their employees to get a vaccine and would prevent schools from turning children away for not wearing a mask. He added, “we’re not preventing people from choosing to wear a mask, we’re empowering personal choice.”
For more information on BR 358 and 359, click here.
Bechler serves the 4th District in western Kentucky which includes Caldwell, Crittenden, and Livingston counties, as well as a section of Christian County.
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