The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at protecting healthcare providers from liability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The House Senate Bill 300, creating the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Limited Liability Act, authored by House Majority Whip Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa, and State Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville. The bill is meant to protect healthcare providers from civil liability during the state’s public health crisis that is not the result of gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct
In a statement released by the House, O’Donnell said Oklahoma’s dedicated healthcare professionals are working long hours and doing everything within their power to treat people who are sick or near death during this pandemic. Stress factors already are leading to additional mental health challenges for those providers, he said.
“Yet, litigants already are looking for anything to sue over related to the pandemic,” O’Donnell said. “We need to protect our healthcare workers, just as they have been protecting us. We don’t need frivolous lawsuits to add to what already is a stressful time.”
This act will only apply to those being treated for COVID-19 and not other patients. The act will only apply to any civil action filed on or after the effective date of this act and will end Oct. 31, 2020, or until the governor concludes any emergency declarations, whichever comes later.
Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives
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