COLUMBUS, Ind. — Two local legislators visited with constituents online for a virtual Third House Monday, to talk about pending legislation being considered this session.
About 100 area residents tuned in for the session which covered a variety of topics, including one that Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus termed as one of the “burning bills of the year” — business owners dealing with liability issues over COVID-19.
Walker and Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus, say they do not believe a complete blanket immunity for employers should be provided. Immunity should not be given if an employer displays gross negligence, or demands that a worker known to have the virus return to work.
“But the problem is, how do you necessarily associate where you came in contact with the virus?” Walker asked. “(SB 001) is trying to avoid those class action lawsuits. We need to acknowledge we all live at a higher rate of risk, so don’t make scapegoats out of any particular party, business, or person.”
In addressing the same bill co-authored by State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford), Lauer said he was concerned about potential litigation being filed against school corporations.
“I know there are civil lawsuits out there, but we don’t want a bunch of hungry lawyers going after our schools left and right,” Lauer said.
In regard to COVID-19 vaccines, Lauer said he supports a Hoosier’s right to refuse employer-mandated shots. Those rights include religious exemptions to the vaccine, as well as privacy through the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Lauer said.
“I think that, at the end of the day, most people will receive the vaccine, and that’s enough to protect the community,” Lauer said.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
