SB62 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

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

Summary

The bill would extend civil immunity to unpaid volunteers who temporarily provide care under the direction of the primary home caregiver for a disabled or chronically ill person, if they act in good faith and as a reasonably prudent person would.

What This Bill Does

It amends the Good Samaritan Law (Section 6-5-332) to add a new immunity for volunteers who provide temporary, unpaid care under the direction of the primary home caregiver. The volunteer would not be liable for civil damages for acts or omissions in rendering the care or in arranging for care if they act in good faith and as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. This aims to encourage more volunteer help for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses by reducing fear of liability.

Who It Affects

• Unpaid volunteers who provide temporary home care for a person with a disability or chronic illness under the direction of the primary home caregiver, protect them from civil liability if they act appropriately.
• Persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses who receive such volunteer care, as the immunity reduces potential legal risk for the volunteers helping them.
• Primary home caregivers or families who direct and oversee the volunteer care, as the law would provide liability protection for the volunteer actions under their direction.

Key Provisions

• Adds new subsection (h) to Section 6-5-332 to provide civil immunity for unpaid volunteers who provide temporary care under the direction of the primary home caregiver for a person with a disability or chronic illness.
• Requires the volunteer to act in good faith, without charging for goods or services, and to perform care as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances for immunity to apply.
• Covers civil damages for acts or omissions in rendering care or in providing/arranging for care, given the above conditions.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor (or when it otherwise becomes law).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure