AL SB9

Employers cannot require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment unless employees are offered the opportunity to claim exemptions for medical or religious reasons.

Employees who complete and submit a standard exemption form are presumed entitled to the exemption; employers must make the form readily available with submission instructions.

Employers must liberally construe exemption requests in favor of employees and cannot terminate employees for 7 calendar days after denial, or until an administrative law judge or court issues a final ruling.

Employees whose exemption requests are denied must receive full compensation at their prior rate for 7 calendar days after denial or until the administrative law judge rules in the employer's favor.

The Department of Labor must adopt emergency rules within 21 days establishing an appeal process; employees may appeal denials to an administrative law judge within 7 calendar days, with the judge required to issue a ruling within 30 calendar days; the act expires May 1, 2023 unless extended by the Legislature.