Beginning in 2021, many people were required to receive the COVID-19 shot as a condition for employment or to attend higher education. Many of these mandates were implemented independently of President Biden’s jab or test executive order in September of that year.

HB4475 will amend the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Code of Michigan to include vaccination status as a protected class, along with race, gender, religion, etc. This would mean most employers, along with the state’s private universities, community colleges and state and local governmental entities would not be able to discriminate or make employment/admission decisions on the basis of whether or not individuals have received vaccinations.

It is vital that Michigan enact this bill as quickly as possible. No one should have to choose between working and putting food on the table or receiving an immunization they don't need or want. Likewise, no one should have to sacrifice their career dreams because the only educational institutions that fit their educational requirements mandate immunizations. There will be another pandemic in the future. While a future president may order specific companies to mandate vaccines, having this bill on the books can, at the very least, provide a legal framework to challenge the constitutionality of the edict. Many people mistakenly believe that the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution allows the federal government to override any conflicting state law. However, the clause includes the words “in pursuance thereof”, meaning even laws passed by Congress must be pursuant to the powers delegated to the federal government by the Constitution. As such, President Biden’s executive order was blatantly unconstitutional, not only because it wasn’t passed by Congress, but more importantly, it was NOT in pursuance of the Constitution. In Federalist 33, Alexander Hamilton wrote that lower level governments have the right to treat acts by the federal government that are NOT pursuant to the Constitution as acts of usurpation.

A discharge petition (also known as a motion to discharge) will force the bill to be released from committee to the State House Floor for a vote, and is approved by a majority vote of the elected representatives. In order for the bill to become law, it must pass both chambers of the legislature before going to the Governor's office. The Governor will have the choice of signing or vetoing the bills. If the bills are vetoed, both chambers of the legislature will need to override the veto, and do so with a 2/3 majority vote.

This can only be achieved with your backing. Please, let your voice be heard - sign this petition to allow HB4475 to be brought up for a vote without a hearing. And MOST importantly, after signing this petition, please contact House Speaker Matt Hall and tell him you want a motion to discharge initiated for the bill! Furthermore, with the information provided in this call-to-action, please also contact your local State House Representative and tell him/her to support HB4475!

https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/districtlocator/

Matt Hall's Contact Information

Phone Number: (517) 373-1784

Email: MattHall@house.mi.gov