S. 4317 · 116th Congress
SAFE TO WORK Act
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 116th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
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CornynSponsor23 cosponsors · 23 R
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McConnell
CH
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Hyde-Smith
TY
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Young
LA
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Alexander
MB
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Blackburn
TT
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Tillis
MC
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Crapo
SC
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Capito
TC
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Cotton
KC
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Cramer
JI
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Inhofe
JR
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Risch
RW
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Wicker
RB
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Blunt
JL
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Lankford
KL
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Loeffler
DP
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Perdue
PT
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Toomey
DF
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Fischer
JB
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Barrasso
SD
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Daines
RP
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Portman
TS
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Scott1 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · Jul 27, 2020
Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act
This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1, 2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants.
An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3) actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidence standard is a higher standard of proof than is typically required in a civil action.)
Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such actions directly caused the injury.
The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus testing.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: SAFE TO WORK Act
Also known as: Safeguarding America’s Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act
Latest action (Jul 27, 2020): Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Policy area: Law · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Jul 27, 2020
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.