Florida lawmakers may expand COVID-19 protections

TALLAHASSEE – Florida senators asked COVID-related questions and got fewer answers Wednesday from some the authorities Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration.

One question not asked was astir was pending fines for businesses and governments who person been accused of asking for impervious of vaccination.

When the Department of Health appeared earlier lawmakers Wednesday, it wasn’t asked astir the $3.57 cardinal good it is imposing connected Leon County for its vaccine mandate.

So, Capitol News asked aft their presumption successful the Senate committee.

“We’ll get backmost to you arsenic soon arsenic possible,” said Department of Health spokesperson Megan Moran.

Democratic State Sen. Janet Cruz alleged the Department wouldn’t talk successful idiosyncratic due to the fact that everyone is pursuing a script.

“It’s astir control, you know. It’s astir the disguise mandate. It’s astir denying science,” said Cruz.

The Department of Health did respond with a connection aboriginal successful the afternoon.

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“Under the rule, the Florida Department of Health present has the authorization to enforce penalties connected applicable entities and institutions that necessitate documentation of vaccination oregon post-exposure status. To guarantee accountability and enforcement of this law, the Department of Health, Floridians and visitors tin taxable complaints to the Florida Department of Health astatine VaxPassFreeFL@FLHealth.gov,” said DOH Communications Director Weesam Khoury.

Leon has 21 days to record an administrative appeal.

In a statement, the region said it volition question ineligible relief.

The good comes arsenic the Department of Health is investigating astatine slightest 120 businesses who whitethorn person required a vaccine to enter.

The writer of the authorities present said lawmakers should look astatine stopping not conscionable government, but businesses from mandating shots for employees.

“I deliberation everything should beryllium connected the array during this unsocial and unprecedented time, due to the fact that what we person present is simply a workforce contented to statesman with,” said State Sen. Danny Burgess.

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The thought isn’t sitting good with Cruz.

“Taking section power distant from radical that judge successful subject is simply a small spot ridiculous,” said Cruz.

Lawmakers are apt to determination cautiously arsenic immoderate the state’s biggest employers, including Disney, person already mandated shots.

“I deliberation that’s a moving target. I deliberation conversations volition beryllium had,” said State Sen. Manny Diaz.

Wednesday’s presumption did amusement hospitalizations and deaths declining. If the inclination continues, the governmental appetite for tougher sanctions against governments and businesses whitethorn wane arsenic well.

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