summary
Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
112th Congress
Bill Summary
Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that a health care professional shall not be liable under federal or state law for harm caused by any act or omission if: (1) the professional is serving as a volunteer for purposes of responding to a disaster; and (2) the act or omission occurs during the period of the disaster, in the professional's capacity as such a volunteer, and in a good faith belief that the individual being treated is in need of health care services. Makes exceptions where: (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 intoxicating alcohol or an intoxicating drug.
AI Summary
This bill, the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2011, amends the Public Health Service Act to shield licensed or certified health care professionals from liability under federal or state law for harm caused while volunteering to provide care during a declared disaster, as long as their actions or omissions were in good faith and believed to be necessary for the individual's health. However, this protection does not apply if the harm resulted from willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless behavior, or conscious indifference to the patient's safety, nor if the professional was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bill defines "disaster" broadly to include national emergencies, presidential declarations of major disasters, and public health emergencies declared by the Secretary. It also clarifies that a volunteer is generally someone not receiving more than $500 per year in compensation, excluding reasonable expense reimbursement.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (22)
Brian Bilbray (R),
Gus Bilirakis (R),
Marsha Blackburn (R),
Michael Burgess (R),
Mike Coffman (R),
Chip Cravaack (R),
Ander Crenshaw (R),
Renee Ellmers (R),
Paul Gosar (R),
Morgan Griffith (R),
Randy Hultgren (R),
Frank LoBiondo (R),
Blaine Luetkemeyer (R),
Jim Matheson (D),
Howard McKeon (R),
David Roe (R),
Mike Rogers (R),
Aaron Schock (R),
Chris Smith (R),
Cliff Stearns (R),
John Sullivan (R),
Rob Wittman (R),
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution. (on 12/14/2011)
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/112th-congress/house-bill/3586/all-info |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr3586ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr3586ih.pdf |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr3586ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr3586ih.pdf.pdf |
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