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COVID-19 Liability Protections Are A Top Legislative Priority In 2021 Session

The four legislative caucus leaders, (starting from top right, going clockwise) Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville), Rep. Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne), Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) and Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) discuss the upcoming session with Indiana Chamber of Commerce Vice President Tom Schuman.
The four legislative caucus leaders, (starting from top right, going clockwise) Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville), Rep. Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne), Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) and Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) discuss the upcoming session with Indiana Chamber of Commerce Vice President Tom Schuman.

Indiana legislative leaders say liability protections around COVID-19 could be the first order of business when the General Assembly starts its new session. 

The proposed concept – already being enacted in some states – would provide businesses, non-profits, schools and health care facilities with protections from civil lawsuits. For example, if a person visited a store and then got the virus, they couldn’t turn around and sue that store owner.

Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) said it’s a top priority for the 2021 session.

READ MORE:  Sen. Greg Taylor Says Suit And Tie Required On Senate Floor, Masks Should Be Too

“It’s important to try and build back in some confidence to our companies and our charitable organizations and even some other, like, governmental entities so that they feel like they can get back out there and get back to work,” Bray said.

Leaders of both parties agree that a bill to create those liability protections – limited to the pandemic – could pass out of the legislature and go to the governor within the first month of session.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

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Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.