Capitol Update: COVID-19 Safe Harbor Liability Protections Bill Awaits the Governor's Signature

March 18, 2021

The Metro Atlanta Chamber is pleased that the full Senate has passed House Bill 112, which extends the COVID-19 safe harbor liability law for another year, and sent it to Governor Kemp's desk for signature.

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The Metro Atlanta Chamber is pleased that the full Senate has passed House Bill 112, which extends the COVID-19 safe harbor liability law for another year, and sent it to Governor Kemp's desk for signature.

Issue summary: To bolster Georgia’s continued economic recovery, businesses need the assurance that when giving their best efforts to protect employees and the general public, they in turn will be protected from certain legal claims. As businesses adapt to operating in this new environment confronting the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic brings, they require a consistent and predictable legal environment to ensure our state remains competitive and advances its reputation as the number one place to do business.

House Bill 112 is a narrowly tailored one-year extension of the current law passed last year that allows liability claims to succeed only in cases where the business or other organization showed gross negligence or similar disregard for health and safety standards regarding the transmission of COVID-19.

The legislation creating these protections was a priority of MAC’s RESTORE initiative. It has been a critical tool for allowing businesses to continue to operate confidently.

MAC Position: Support

Sponsors: Rep. Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown)

Status History:

  • 3/17/21 – Passed Senate
  • 3/11/21 – Passed Senate Judiciary
  • 2/9/2021 – Passed House
  • 2/4/2021 – Passed House Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System
  • 1/26/2021 – Introduced

Supporting organizations: Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Chamber, National Federation for Independent Business

Read House Bill 112 here.