SB 5542 - DIGEST

Declares that, in an effort to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the legislature has authorized and funded programs addressing child and elderly abuse and neglect and criminal offenders. The work undertaken by state employees and agents to deliver these important services requires them to make decisions based upon circumstantial evidence and measurable risk of harm associated with the available competing choices.

Provides that the state or a person, individually or in a representative capacity for the state, who is involved in the delivery of social and health services through the department of social and health services, is not liable for selecting one of two or more alternative courses of action even though the course of action chosen results in a poor outcome if the person exercised reasonable care and skill in arriving at the judgment to follow the particular course of action.