COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Exemption Laws by State

Author: Brightmine Editorial Team

As employers continue to implement COVID-19 vaccination mandates in their organizations, some states have responded by enacting laws requiring employers to provide employees with exemptions. While employees generally have the right to request an exemption due to a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or a sincerely health religious belief under Title VII, these state laws address specific exemption rights for employees who are subject to a workplace COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

This chart covers state laws that apply to private employers and provide employees with the right to request a specific exemption from a workplace COVID-19 vaccination mandate. An indication of "N/A" in chart cells means that there is no COVID-19 vaccination mandate exemption law in that state.

For further information on these exemption laws, including employer applicability, as well as other state laws that provide additional protections (e.g., unemployment insurance benefits), please see the Employee Health state requirements sections of the Employment Law Guide.

For additional information regarding Executive Orders, regulations or laws that relate to an employer's ability to address COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace, please see COVID-19: Proof-of-Vaccination Prohibitions by State. Employers are also urged to consult federal, state and local government agencies for additional relevant information.