INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI)-Governor Eric Holcomb signed legislation today that will give COVID-19 liability protections to businesses and schools. Passing legislation for these protections was something the governor had laid at as one of his top priorities for the 2021 legislative session. It's also the first piece of legislation the Governor has signed in the current session.
The new law will provide civil tort immunity for damages arising from COVID-19 on the premises of a business or school organization by prohibiting class action lawsuits. Local State Senator Ron Alting was a co-author of the bill. He says this is a win for Hoosier business owners and schools who have already had a hard time during the pandemic.
"This is a huge protection for both our schools throughout Tippecanoe County and our businesses both our small businesses as well as our larger ones like SIA and Caterpillar," said Senator Alting.
The law went into effect upon Governor Holcomb signing it. Governor Holcomb sent out this statement in regards to the legislation's passage.
“The pandemic has affected Hoosier businesses, schools, and others in ways no one could have foreseen just one year ago. To aid in the state’s recovery, I made providing assurances that they will not have to live and work in fear of frivolous lawsuits a part of my Next Level Agenda. Most Hoosier businesses and other organizations are making good faith attempts to protect their customers and employees because it is the right thing to do and it makes for better business in the long run. I want to thank lawmakers for rapidly passing this key piece of legislation and sending it to my desk for signature.”
To read the legislation click here.
