2020 House Bill 6159 / Public Act 240

Medical providers liability waiver for actions early in coronavirus epidemic

Introduced in the House

Sept. 2, 2020

Introduced by Rep. Roger Hauck (R-99)

To give medical care providers immunity from lawsuits seeking damages for their actions and treatments during the first months of the coronavirus epidemic. The bill states:<br> “A health care provider or health care facility that provides health care services in support of this state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic is not liable for an injury, including death, sustained by an individual by reason of those services, regardless of how, under what circumstances, or by what cause those injuries are sustained, unless it is established that the provision of the services constituted willful misconduct, gross negligence, intentional and willful criminal misconduct, or intentional infliction of harm by the health care provider or health care facility.”<br> This would apply retroactively for the period after March 9, 2020 and before July 15, 2020.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Sept. 16, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 23, 2020

Passed in the House 58 to 48 (details)

Received in the Senate

Sept. 24, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Health Policy and Human Services

Oct. 13, 2020

Amendment offered by Sen. Michael MacDonald (R-10)

To specify that the bill covers medical professionals "at a health care facility".

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-23)

The amendment failed 16 to 21 (details)

Passed in the Senate 29 to 8 (details)

To give medical care providers immunity from lawsuits seeking damages for their actions and treatments during the first months of the coronavirus epidemic. The bill states:<br> “A health care provider or health care facility that provides health care services in support of this state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic is not liable for an injury, including death, sustained by an individual by reason of those services, regardless of how, under what circumstances, or by what cause those injuries are sustained, unless it is established that the provision of the services constituted willful misconduct, gross negligence, intentional and willful criminal misconduct, or intentional infliction of harm by the health care provider or health care facility.”<br> This would apply retroactively for the period after March 29, 2020 and before July 14, 2020.

Received in the House

Oct. 13, 2020

Passed in the House 64 to 37 (details)

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Oct. 22, 2020