summary
Introduced
05/07/2019
05/07/2019
In Committee
05/07/2019
05/07/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to limit the liability of health care professionals who volunteer to provide health care services in response to a disaster. This bill shields health care professionals from liability under federal or state law for harm caused by an act or omission while (1) the professional is serving as a volunteer in response to a disaster; and (2) such act or omission occurs during the period of the disaster, in the state where the disaster has been declared, in the professional's capacity as a volunteer, during the course of providing a service for which the professional is licensed or certified, and with a good faith belief that the individual being treated is in need of health care services. This protection from liability does not apply if (1) the harm was caused by an act or omission constituting willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed; or (2) the professional rendered the health care services under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating drug.
AI Summary
This bill, the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2019, aims to limit the liability of healthcare professionals who volunteer to provide healthcare services in response to a disaster. The bill shields these volunteers from liability under federal or state law for harm caused by their acts or omissions, as long as certain conditions are met, such as the services being provided in good faith during the period of the disaster and within the professional's scope of practice. Exceptions apply if the harm was caused by willful misconduct, gross negligence, or the provision of services under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bill also encourages healthcare professionals to register with the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESARVHP) and calls for cooperation between federal, state, and licensing entities to facilitate the deployment and utilization of these volunteer healthcare professionals during disasters.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (12)
Bill Cassidy (R)*,
Marsha Blackburn (R),
John Boozman (R),
Tom Cotton (R),
Kevin Cramer (R),
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R),
James Inhofe (R),
Angus King (I),
Joe Manchin (I),
Lisa Murkowski (R),
Jeanne Shaheen (D),
Roger Wicker (R),
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (on 05/07/2019)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1350/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s1350/BILLS-116s1350is.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s1350/BILLS-116s1350is.pdf.pdf |
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