KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson doubled down Thursday on calls to expand liability protection for health care providers, manufacturers, businesses, schools, churches and nonprofit organizations operating during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Parson made is his intent to include liability legislation in a special session of the Missouri Legislature. According to a press release, "The proposed legislation includes three main provisions regarding liability protection:
- Liability protection for health care workers who provide care as necessitated by a declared state of emergency
- Products liability protection for any person who designs, manufactures, labels, sells, distributes, or donates products in direct response to a declared state of emergency
- Premises liability protection for exposure claims related to a declared state of emergency"
“None of these groups should be penalized for their efforts to respond to a declared state of emergency," Parson said in a press release. "They must be able to continue operating and serving the public without risk of unnecessary and frivolous claims,” Governor Parson continued."
He cited manufacturers and businesses modifying operations to produce supplies to fight COVID-19 and remaining open to provide access to basic goods and services as one reason for introducing the legislation, saying those entities should be protected from lawsuits.
