• Brass-Tacks

  • HB 1175 and all those other COVID Liability Bills

    HB 1175 and all those other COVID Liability Bills

    On January 27th, HB 1175 was introduced in committee. On February 2, the bill received a do-pass out of committee.

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
    Representative Michael Howe sponsored this bill, "North Dakota has always been one of the most business-friendly states in the country. I was happy to partner with the business community and healthcare industry to craft HB 1175 to add protections against frivolous civil liability lawsuits due to Covid-19.
     
    To hear what coalition members are saying, check out Part 1 of this 3-Part Series.

    OTHER BILLS
    There have been five other COVID-19 Liability Protection Bills submitted this session. While we prefer the total coverage that HB 1175 offers, these other bills cover specific situations and offer targeted coverage. Below is a brief summary of these additional bills. One point to consider, HB 1175 is the only COVID Liability bill that has received support from the business community.
     
    1271

    • Prime sponsor: Rep. M. Nelson
    • Directed at only COVID-19
    • Liability protection only for employers
    • Bill contains mental/mental WSI coverage
    • CURRENT ACTION: Do not pass recommendation out of committee.

    1301
    • Prime Sponsor: Rep. B. Koppelman
    • Directed at Communicable diseases, not just COVID-19
    • Prohibits mandatory immunization for employment – exempts healthcare with some additional provisions.
    • This bill only offers limited protections for employers
    • CURRENT ACTION: Split vote will be listed as a no recommendation out of committee

    1376
    • Prime Sponsor: Rep. Kasper
    • Liability protection specific to COVID-19
    • This bill only offers limited protections for employers
    • CURRENT ACTION: Do pass recommendation out of committee

    1433
    • Prime Sponsor: Rep. Itsa
    • Provides workers compensation benefits for a specific list of essential workers, not the official US Homeland Security Essential Worker List
    • Includes presumption that essential workers who contracted COVID did so at their place of employment
    • This bill would have a significant increase in employer WSI premiums
    • CURRENT ACTION: Do not pass recommendation out of committee 

    2278
    • Prime Sponsor: Rep. Rust
    • Directed at only COVID-19
    • Liability protection for school personnel
    • Supported by ND School Board Association
    • CURRENT ACTION: Do not pass recommendation out of committee
    1175, 1301, 1376, and 2278 had amendments placed on the bills before they were passed out. Amendments are currently unavailable at this time.

    FURTHER RESOURCES: HB 1175 One-sheeter

  • Champions for Business.