A decision by the 9th Circuit of Appeals makes it illegal in Montana for an employer to discriminate because of vaccination status. It fully activates House Bill 702, passed by the last Legislature, which includes healthcare facilities.
Although the controversy came out of the COVID 19 pandemic, the law includes–not only COVID 19 vaccinations, but those for measles, mumps, rubella, and several others.
The plaintiffs, included immune compromised patients, the Montana Medical Association, the Montana Nurses Association, Western Montana Clinic and Five Valleys Urology.
The 9th Circuit’s decision reverses the ruling handed down by Missoula Federal Judge Donald Molloy 2-years ago.
A spokesperson for Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s office said, in a statement, “This is great news for Montanans. No one should be subject to discrimination because of their vaccination status. We’re glad the Ninth Circuit corrected Molloy’s erroneous decision.”
Two of the plaintiffs say they’re weighing their legal options.
