Employees of Washington state's highest court must receive vaccination against COVID-19 by Nov. 1, according to an order entered Wednesday.
The requirement includes exemptions for religious or disability-related reasons, but those seeking continued employment at the courts or the state's Law Library will need to get their shots in order to keep their job.
The order, signed by Chief Justice Steven C. Gonzalez, also includes a recommendation that other entities in the state's judicial branch, including the Washington State Bar Association, the Office of Public Defense, appellate and trial courts adopt similar vaccination requirements.
Such orders would need to come from the presiding judge in each jurisdiction. Spokane County Superior Court Presiding Judge Harold Clarke has not issued that order yet, said Ashley Callan, superior court administrator for the county. But she noted that the order was just handed down by the Washington Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The U.S. Justice Department in July issued a ruling that federal law does not prohibit private and public entities from requiring COVID-19 vaccination as condition of employment, even though the vaccines currently available have only received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.
In its order requiring vaccination, the Supreme Court noted the recent increase in cases caused by the delta variant of the coronavirus and that its employees "need to be prepared to come to their worksite at any time necessary to meet the operational needs of the courts." The requirement does not extend to visitors or patrons.
