COVID-19 liability protections for Georgia businesses and hospitals would be extended until July 14, 2022, under a bill introduced in the General Assembly on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Since August, the liability protections have shielded businesses and health-care facilities in Georgia from lawsuits brought by people who contract COVID-19 in all but the worst negligence or recklessness cases.<\/p>\n
The bill, sponsored by Georgia House Majority Whip Trey Kelley, R-Cedartown, only calls for a one-year extension. However, it could undergo changes as lawmakers and lobbyists haggle over what level of liability protections to provide going forward.<\/p>\n
After passing in late June, the liability protections were hailed by business leaders as a way for Georgia enterprises from mom-and-pop shops to sports stadiums to feel assured they will not face crippling litigation during the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Unions and employee advocates worried Georgia workers will be left in the lurch as thousands of Georgias front-line and low-wage workers struggle to stay safe from the virus while keeping their jobs.<\/p>\n
Republican lawmakers in the Georgia Senate took issue with the gross negligence threshold for bringing a damage claim, which they argued would be too weak to fully protect businesses and hospitals.<\/p>\n
That threshold marked a compromise between health-care professionals, business leaders and trial attorneys in the final days of last years legislative session, which resumed in June after a three-month suspension due to COVID-19.<\/p>\n
Kelley chairs the House Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System, where the liability protections were assigned for debate last June.<\/p>\n
Also on Tuesday, Kelley brought forth a resolution honoring the life and memory of former Rockmart City Manager Jeff Ellis, who died Jan. 15 from complications of COVID-19.<\/p>\n
The resolution made note of his long service to the city of Rockmart and his dedication to improving the quality of life of everyone in Polk County.<\/p>\n
The resolution was read and adopted in the House on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Polk Standard Journal Editor Jeremy Stewart contributed to this report.<\/p>\n
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Kelley sponsors bill seeking extension of COVID-19 liability protections - The Polk Fish Wrap<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" COVID-19 liability protections for Georgia businesses and hospitals would be extended until July 14, 2022, under a bill introduced in the General Assembly on Tuesday. Since August, the liability protections have shielded businesses and health-care facilities in Georgia from lawsuits brought by people who contract COVID-19 in all but the worst negligence or recklessness cases Continue reading