Senate Passes Bill To Reduce COVID Lawsuits Against Businesses
The Montana Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill on Monday, Jan. 18, that is aimed to prevent lawsuits against businesses regarding COVID-19 cases.
Senate Bill 65 passed by a 37-13 vote and now heads to the Montana House.
The bill notes that businesses, health care professionals and manufacturers of products created to control the Covid pandemic can’t be held liable for virus related damages unless if the entities were determined to have “gross negligence” or intentional acts.
The bill reads, “A person who possesses or is in control of a premises, including a tenant, lessee, or occupant of a premises, who directly or indirectly invites or permits an individual onto a premises, shall not be liable for civil damages for injuries sustained from the individual’s exposure to covid-19, whether the exposure occurs on the premises or during an activity managed by the person who possesses or is in control of a premises ...”
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has made comments in support of the bill. “We need to protect businesses and schools from lawsuits if they make a good-faith effort to protect individuals from the spread of the coronavirus and follow clear public-health guidelines,” Gianforte said in a press conference.
