House Bill 606, known as the Good Samaritan Expansion Bill, has been signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine. The legislation grants civil immunity to a person who provides services for essential businesses and operations for injury, death, or loss that was caused by the transmission of COVID-19 during the period of emergency declared by Governor’s Executive Order 2020-01D, which was issued on March 9, 2020. The legislation protects individuals, schools, healthcare professionals, and businesses from unforeseen liability arising out of the pandemic.
Under the bill, healthcare professionals are immune for the actions, omissions, decisions, or compliance with government orders unless it constitutes reckless disregard for life or health of the patient. Businesses, individuals, and families receive immunity for the transmission, contraction, or exposure to SARS, MERS, COVID-19, or any mutation unless they are reckless, participate in willful and wanton, or intentional misconduct.
The immunity is set to last from March 9, 2020, the date of the emergency declaration through Thursday, September 30, 2021.
The legislation signed on September 14, 2020, will become law after 90 days.