© 2024 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The Statehouse News Bureau provides educational, comprehensive coverage of legislation, elections, issues and other activities surrounding the Statehouse to Ohio's public radio and television stations.

Huffman sees potential in the House anti-vaccine mandate bill

Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) speaks to reporters at a press conference in June 2021. [Statehouse News Bureau]
Senate President Matt Huffman stands behind a lectern

The Ohio Senate will hold hearings on a House bill that bans certain vaccine mandates and grants broad exemptions.

Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) says the anti-vaccine mandate bill HB 218 could be the right vehicle to tackle COVID-19 vaccine policies, but he’s not committing to a floor vote yet.

Huffman adds there's hesitation to regulate businesses.

"I think the sweet spot is how is it that we can draft this to make sure that people aren't being forced to quit their jobs and at the same time, you know, the maximum amount of protection? And I think this bill gets the closest to that of any that I've seen," says Huffman.

Business groups and health care organizations are opposed to the bill, saying they're against regulations on private businesses and that the policy hurts efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.