California bill would require vaccines for all employees

California could mandate that all businesses require their employees and independent contractors receive the COVID-19 vaccine

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California would mandate that all businesses require their employees and independent contractors to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under legislation announced Friday by Democratic state lawmakers that was immediately criticized by Republicans as government overreach.

Employees or contractors who qualify for medical or religious exemptions would have to be regularly tested under a planned amendment to the bill. New employees would have to get at least one dose by the time they start work and the second dose within 45 days of being on the job.

Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks introduced her bill months after delaying an original proposal last fall. The previous version would have allowed workers to submit to weekly testing as an alternative to getting vaccinated, but that is not an option in her new proposal.

Vaccines mandates are highly controversial and there have been many rallies at the state Capitol in Sacramento opposing such requirements.