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The Indiana House passed a bill Tuesday that would prevent companies from requiring their employees to be microchipped.
House Bill 1143, authored by Rep. Alan Morrison, R-Brazil, would prohibit businesses from using the implantation of some type of tracking or identification device as a condition of employment for current or prospective workers.
The bill passed the House 96-0 and heads to the Senate for consideration.
Morrison said the process typically involves a rice-sized microchip that’s inserted between the index finger and thumb. The technology can control door or computer access, provide health data or even get food out of a vending machine.
He said he’s filed similar legislation for three years now and knows some lawmakers have brushed off the need for it, but some companies are using the technology. It has voluntarily been used at Swedish startup hub Epicenter and at Wisconsin-based Three Market Square for years.
Morrison’s bill would still allow a company in Indiana to offer microchipping on a voluntary basis.
“Privacy is an important thing,” Morrison said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with us being a little out in front of something.”
Morrison said Indiana would be the sixth state to implement such a law.
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I’m glad they did this because I don’t think it’s a good idea and yes, I have looked at companies that offer this and the benefits. It’s just one more step towards an Orwellian society, that’s been coming whether I like it or not. My concern is they can still offer this on a voluntary basis. Voluntary is only good if it truly is voluntary. For example how many unions are listed as voluntary, but you don’t dare say no? I might also feel pressured to say yes to keep my job even though this would never be given as a reason for terminating me. I didn’t play by the unwritten company rules. I wasn’t a team player! I just think we either allow this or not and keep the “voluntary” language out of the legislation because nothing is ever truly voluntary at work.
Indiana is an “at will” employment state and even if microchipping is “voluntary”, an employer can still terminate anyone who doesn’t “volunteer” for it.
Exactly Chris. So why pretend that passing something that’s “voluntary” means you have a choice with no repercussions. I’m sure in the world of local, state and federal governments this language works because I’ve seen from people that work in those sectors they are very protective of the individual, but I’m not sure they understand how things actually work outside of their bubble. You’d still have to prove you were fired because you didn’t do something that’s voluntary and good luck doing that.
Wow, what is worse is that we actually need a law to prevent this! Pretty scary to think employers would actually want to do this. Advice — run from any employer that wants to do this and never buy their products or services.