Tennessee has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 1884) and (House Bill 1871), which create a sunset date for COVID-19 related laws and adds employee protections for natural COVID-19 immunity. Senate Bill 1884 takes effect on July 1, 2023, and House Bill 1871 is effective immediately.
The details:
House Bill 1871:
The law defines natural immunity as immune system resistance to COVID-19 that is acquired naturally as the result of an individual’s prior infection with COVID-19.
Under the law, Tennessee employers in the private sector are prohibited from adopting or enforcing a rule, policy, procedure or practice as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that:
- Treats those with natural immunity differently than those who received a COVID-19 vaccination; or
- Fails to recognize natural immunity as being at least as protective as a COVID-19 vaccination.
Senate Bill 1884:
Tennessee has set July 1, 2023, as the termination date for its laws related to COVID-19 other than House Bill 1871, excluding government entities, schools and local education agencies mandates.
Next steps:
Tennessee employers should consult legal counsel to discuss the impact of Senate Bill 1884 and House Bill 1871 on their policies and practices.