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SAFE TO WORK Act

USA116th CongressS-4317| Senate 
| Updated: 7/27/2020
John Cornyn

John Cornyn

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (23)
Mitch McConnell (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)David Perdue (Republican)James E. Risch (Republican)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Lamar Alexander (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Tom Cotton (Republican)James M. Inhofe (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Roy Blunt (Republican)Kelly Loeffler (Republican)Tim Scott (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)Deb Fischer (Republican)John Barrasso (Republican)Patrick Toomey (Republican)Rob Portman (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1, 2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants. An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3) actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidence standard is a higher standard of proof than is typically required in a civil action.) Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such actions directly caused the injury. The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus testing.
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Timeline
Jul 27, 2020
Introduced in Senate
Jul 27, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Dec 2, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-8832
Introduced in House
  • July 27, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 27, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • December 2, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-8832
    Introduced in House

Law

Related Bills

  • HR 116-8832: SAFE TO WORK Act
  • S 116-4775: Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act
  • S 116-4537: RECOVERY Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCardiovascular and respiratory healthCivil actions and liabilityDrug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careEvidence and witnessesFederal district courtsFederal-Indian relationsFederal preemptionHealth care qualityHealth personnelHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesJudicial procedure and administrationJurisdiction and venueLegal fees and court costsMedical tests and diagnostic methodsProduct safety and qualitySelf-employedState and local government operationsWorker safety and health

SAFE TO WORK Act

USA116th CongressS-4317| Senate 
| Updated: 7/27/2020
Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1, 2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants. An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3) actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidence standard is a higher standard of proof than is typically required in a civil action.) Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such actions directly caused the injury. The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus testing.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 27, 2020
Introduced in Senate
Jul 27, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Dec 2, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-8832
Introduced in House
  • July 27, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 27, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • December 2, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-8832
    Introduced in House
John Cornyn

John Cornyn

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (23)
Mitch McConnell (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)David Perdue (Republican)James E. Risch (Republican)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Lamar Alexander (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Tom Cotton (Republican)James M. Inhofe (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Roy Blunt (Republican)Kelly Loeffler (Republican)Tim Scott (Republican)Kevin Cramer (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)Deb Fischer (Republican)John Barrasso (Republican)Patrick Toomey (Republican)Rob Portman (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Law

Related Bills

  • HR 116-8832: SAFE TO WORK Act
  • S 116-4775: Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act
  • S 116-4537: RECOVERY Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCardiovascular and respiratory healthCivil actions and liabilityDrug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careEvidence and witnessesFederal district courtsFederal-Indian relationsFederal preemptionHealth care qualityHealth personnelHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesJudicial procedure and administrationJurisdiction and venueLegal fees and court costsMedical tests and diagnostic methodsProduct safety and qualitySelf-employedState and local government operationsWorker safety and health