FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 5185
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
C 36 L 17
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Providing immunity from liability for professional or trade associations providing emergency response volunteers.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Senators Wilson, Mullet and Palumbo).
Senate Committee on State Government
House Committee on Judiciary
Background: Under current law, no act or omission by a covered volunteer emergency worker while engaged in a covered activity imposes any liability for civil damages resulting from that action for a list of entities, including the employer of the covered volunteer emergency worker.
Emergency worker means any person who is:
not receiving or expecting compensation from the state or local government;
not a state or local government employee unless on leave without pay status; and
registered with and holds an identification card issued by the state or local emergency management director for the purpose of engaging in authorized emergency management activities.
Volunteers who are registered as emergency workers are immune from liability for damages that arise while:
providing assistance or transportation during an emergency or disaster or participating in an approved training or exercise in preparation for an emergency disaster; or
traveling to or from an emergency or disaster, search and rescue, or training exercise authorized by the Military Department.
This immunity extends to the volunteers' supervisor, health care facilities and employees, property and vehicle owners, the local organization that registered the volunteer, and the state and state or local government entities.
Summary: Immunity is afforded to volunteer emergency workers or their employers for damages that arise while:
providing assistance or transportation during an emergency or disaster or participating in an approved training or exercise in preparation for an emergency disaster; or
traveling to or from an emergency or disaster, search and rescue, or training exercise authorized by the Military Department.
The immunity is extended to include any professional or trade association of covered volunteer emergency workers.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 49 | 0 | |
House | 97 | 0 |
Effective: | July 23, 2017 |