SB330 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Coronovirus, immunity for certain entities from claims relating to contraction of or exposure to coronovirus

Summary

SB330 would shield certain entities and their staff from most coronavirus-related damages during a declared emergency, while providing specific immunity for health care providers and setting limits and timelines for related claims.

What This Bill Does

It grants civil immunity to covered entities (business, health care providers, educational entities, churches, governmental entities, and cultural institutions) and their staff from health emergency claims related to COVID-19 during a declared emergency. It also provides health care provider immunity for health care services or treatment provided in relation to the pandemic or state response, with liability limited to economic damages unless clear and convincing evidence shows misconduct, and bans non-economic or punitive damages except in certain wrongful death cases. The act sets a two-year limit for filing such claims, applies retroactively to actions after March 13, 2020, and ends the immunity at the later of December 31, 2021 or when the health emergency ends (though some claims may continue under the act indefinitely).

Who It Affects

• Covered entities and their staff (businesses, health care providers, schools, churches, government and cultural institutions) would gain broad civil immunity from coronavirus-related damages during a declared emergency.
• People who might sue for coronavirus-related damages (patients or others) would face new liability rules, including limited damages, a two-year statute of limitations, and the retroactive application of these immunity provisions.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Broad immunity for covered entities and associated personnel from health emergency claims related to COVID-19 during a declared emergency, with an exception only if clear and convincing evidence shows misconduct, and damages limited to economic damages unless serious physical injury occurs.
• Provision 2: Health care provider immunity for care or treatment during the pandemic with restricted damages (no non-economic or punitive damages except in specific wrongful death cases), plus a two-year filing window, retroactive application to actions after March 13, 2020, and an expiration schedule that ends immunity by December 31, 2021 (or later if the emergency lasts longer), with certain claims continuing under the act in perpetuity.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Business and Commerce