HB149 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Civil Procedure, certain caregiver volunteers immune from civil action, Sec. 6-5-332 am'd.

Summary

HB149 would shield unpaid volunteers who provide temporary at-home care for a person with a disability or chronic illness under the primary caregiver's direction, from civil liability.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new immunity provision to Alabama's Good Samaritan law (Section 6-5-332) for volunteers who give temporary, in-home care at no charge under the primary caregiver's direction. To receive protection, the volunteer must act in good faith, without charging for goods or services, and behave as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. The immunity covers civil damages arising from the volunteer's acts or omissions in rendering care or in arranging for care for the person with a disability or chronic illness. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and Governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Unpaid volunteers who provide temporary at-home care for a person with a disability or chronic illness, when directed by the primary home caregiver, and who act in good faith without charging for goods or services.
• People with disabilities or chronic illnesses and their primary home caregivers, who may gain access to volunteer help and reassurance that volunteers providing care are protected from civil liability.

Key Provisions

• Adds new subsection (h) to Section 6-5-332 to grant civil immunity to unpaid volunteers who provide temporary care under the direction of the primary home caregiver for a person with a disability or chronic illness, if the volunteer acts in good faith and without charging for goods or services and acts as a reasonably prudent person would.
• The immunity applies to civil damages resulting from acts or omissions in rendering care or in providing/arranging for care.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and Governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure