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COVID-19 Lawsuit Protections Signed Into Law in Michigan
ATRA praises the passage of HB 6030 in Michigan, enacting COVID-19 liability protections.
Michigan businesses have less to fear in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to H.B. 6030 being signed into law this week.
The bill, sponsored by Representatives Tom Albert (R-Lowell), Tommy Brann (R-Wyoming) and Graham Filler (R-Dewitt), protects businesses and other organizations from tort claims related to exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19 as long as they acted in compliance with all COVID-19 guidelines at the time.
The American Tort Reform Association provided public testimony to Michigan lawmakers on H.B. 6030 throughout the legislative process and has been vocal throughout the pandemic on the need for COVID-19 lawsuit protections.
“This bill provides reasonable protections for small businesses while still ensuring bad actors are held accountable,” American Tort Reform Association President Tiger Joyce said. “As we learn more each day about COVID-19, it is critical to protect those who follow proper recommendations at a given time. For example, while masks are now considered a standard safety precaution, that was not the case in the early days of the pandemic.”
As federal, state, and local statutes, rules, regulations, executive orders, and agency orders related to COVID-19 change as we learn more about the virus, this bill will ensure protection from lawsuits for past actions that were recommended practices at the time.
Speaker Chatfield (R-Levering) and Senate Majority Leader Shirkey (R-Clark Lake) prioritized this important legislation while Senator Adam Hollier (D-Detroit), Senate Minority Leader Ananich (D-Flint) and the Governor’s staff worked across the aisle to get a bill to the Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk, which she signed into law.
“We also want to commend Wendy Block of the Michigan Chamber for her excellent leadership and coordination in prioritizing lawsuit protection for businesses and organizations of all sizes,” Joyce said.
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