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Senator Julie Daniels, of Bartlesville, has won full Senate approval for a measure limiting liability for health care providers and facilities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daniels said those responding to the outbreak in Oklahoma will be protected from those alleging injury as a result of their treatment or care during this health emergency.  She said providers and facilities have been working around the clock as thousands of Oklahomans have been infected by COVID-19. This measure simply gives limited liability protection to those on the frontlines helping patients with COVID-19 or those believed to have the virus.

As amended by the House, Senate Bill 300 creates the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Limited Liability Act. The measure provides that a health care facility or health care provider is immune from civil liability for any alleged loss or harm to a person with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, unless the act or omission was the result of gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. 

The provisions of the measure would be in effect until October 31, 2020, or until any emergency health declarations have ended.  The measure now moves to the governor and will become effective upon his signature.