On November 23, Kansas lawmakers successfully passed a new measure that explicitly ensures people who were fired over remaining unvaccinated would still receive benefits.
Workers "would not become ineligible for benefits or be disqualified from receiving benefits" if they have "declined to accept work that requires compliance with a COVID-19 vaccine requirement," or had an exemption request denied.
Kansas governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, signed the bill into law. She opted not to end enhanced benefits early in the state over the summer.
"I know there are Kansans who believe this legislation goes too far, and there are others who believe this legislation doesn't go far enough," Kelly said in a statement. "But I was elected to lead, and leadership means seeking compromise."