HB364 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mac Buttram

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Good Samaritan Law, providers of safe shelter in severe weather, granted civil immunity for providing safe shelter, Act 2011-579, 2011 Reg. Sess., am'd; Sec. 6-5-332 am'd

Summary

HB364 would extend civil immunity to people or entities who provide access to safe shelter during severe weather, if they act in good faith and as a reasonably prudent person would.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the Good Samaritan Law (Section 6-5-332) to shield shelter providers from civil damages when someone uses a safe place during severe weather. The immunity applies only if the provider acts in good faith and follows what a reasonably prudent person would do under the circumstances. It defines what counts as a safe place and what counts as severe weather, including tornadoes, hurricanes, high winds, and floods. It covers any person using the safe place during severe weather.

Who It Affects

• Shelter providers (individuals or organizations) who offer access to safe places, who would gain civil immunity from claims arising from providing shelter during severe weather.
• People seeking or using safe places for shelter during severe weather, who would be protected from civil damages for injuries or losses while using the shelter, when the shelter provider acted in good faith.

Key Provisions

• Adds new subsection defining Safe Place and Severe Weather for the Good Samaritan protections.
• Grants civil immunity to entities or individuals that provide access to a safe place during severe weather, if acting in good faith and as a reasonably prudent person would.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial 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