Florida Legislature on Wednesday passed sweeping legislation that seeks to protect unvaccinated workers from federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The four bills were approved largely along party lines during a three-day special legislative session convened by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis against federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The bills now head to the Republican governor’s desk to be signed into law. If signed into law, Florida will become the first state that issues financial penalties for businesses that require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, according to CNN. The Republican governor has been a vocal critic of the vaccine mandates pushed by President Joe Biden. Among the measures, private businesses would be blocked from imposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates unless they allow workers to opt out for medical reasons, religious beliefs, immunity based on a previous infection, regular testing, or an agreement to wear protective gear. The state health department, …