Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan COVID-19 Liability Protection Legislation

Reps. Cuellar (D-TX) and Graves (R-LA) introduced important bipartisan legislation known as the “Get America Back to Work Act” (H.R. 7528) which provides reasonable liability protection to businesses from COVID-19 claims provided they made good faith efforts to comply with federal, state and local guidance or appropriate industry standards. The bill does not provide liability protection in cases where there is willful or criminal misconduct or gross negligence to the safety of an individual. In these cases, damages cannot be sought unless there is serious bodily injury. The covered period under the bill runs from January 1, 2020 to 18 months after the end of the emergency period and would apply to claims made before enactment. Additionally, the legislation provides preemption from state laws unless state laws provide greater liability protection. PMAA fully supports the bill and click here to write Congress. 

Meanwhile, Vice President Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, said recently that President Trump will not sign the next COVID-19 relief package unless liability protections for businesses are included.

From PMAA