Workers hurt by employee-mandated vaccines would be covered under bill

Proposed legislation in Montana would make workers who are injured by employer-mandated vaccinations eligible to receive workers compensation benefits.

Senate Bill 369, introduced last week, would provide workers comp coverage for employees who suffer “serious adverse events” after receiving vaccines that are a condition of employment.

Language in the proposed bill defines “serious adverse events” as death or a life-threatening illness, hospitalization, a congenital anomaly or birth defect, a persistent or significant incapacity or “substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions,” and medical events that require surgery.

The bill is not retroactive, so if signed into law employees would only be covered for injuries occurring after the effective date of the legislation.

A hearing on the bill has been scheduled for Wednesday before the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Safety Committee.