• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

  • Soup Du Jour
  • People
  • Government
  • Campaign
  • Business
  • Education
  • Insights
  • Video
You are here: Home / Government / Senator Brandes Files Legislation to Protect Businesses Safely Reopening During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Senator Brandes Files Legislation to Protect Businesses Safely Reopening During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on January 6, 2021

Florida Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, today filled Senate Bill 72, Civil Liability For Damages Relating To COVID-19. The legislation aims to shield businesses from unscrupulous or opportunistic lawsuits related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Businesses across Florida have suffered greatly over the last several months and are doing the best they can to safely reopen during a period of extreme uncertainty,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson, (R-Trilby). “When a business makes a good faith effort to adhere to safety guidelines, our laws should provide strong protections.

“Speaker Sprowls and our House colleagues have been tremendous partners in crafting the important protections for our businesses contained in this legislation. As we move forward, we are continuing to work together on additional legislation to ensure protections for the health care providers who have been on the front lines of this pandemic from day one,” continued President Simpson.

“The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has created an uncertain legal climate for Florida businesses, which could result in serious and ongoing economic challenges for our entire state,” said Chair Brandes. “These important protections will aid in separating the serious and meritorious claims brought against a Florida business from the claims that are unfair or inappropriate as our state continues to fully reopen and recover.”

“Floridians should have the expectation of safety when they enter a business. At the same time business owners and their employees must be allowed to earn a living and support their families amid changing guidance and regulations. As we continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic, this legislation will help protect businesses who are trying to do the right thing from the threat of potentially limitless civil liability,” said Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills), chair of the Senate’s Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response.

The legislation provides protections for all persons, including businesses, charities, educational institutions, and others against a COVID-19-related claim. Specifically, the bill requires a court to dismiss without prejudice any lawsuit bringing a COVID-19-related claim if the complaint is not pled with particularity, or if the person filing the lawsuit failed to provide an affidavit of a physician attesting that the defendant caused the plaintiff’s injuries or damages. If the court determines that the defendant made a good faith effort to substantially comply with government issued health standards or guidance, the defendant is immune from liability.

Claims must be brought within one year after a cause of action accrues. The bill applies retroactively and takes effect upon becoming a law. COVID-19-related protections for health care providers are not addressed in the bill, but will be the focus of separate legislation.

Share this article! Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Filed Under: Government, Soup Du Jour Tagged With: Senator Jeff Brandes

Primary Sidebar

    Submit News    

Democratic Lawmakers Condemn GOP Legislation Targeting Civil Rights Protests

Prominent Democratic lawmakers on Thursday sharply condemned Republican-backed legislation filed for the … [Read More...] about Democratic Lawmakers Condemn GOP Legislation Targeting Civil Rights Protests

MEGA MILLIONS jackpot increases to $625 million ahead of tonight’s draw

MEGA MILLIONS® and POWERBALL® Combined Jackpots climb to $1.1 Billion! Players have a chance to win big this … [Read More...] about MEGA MILLIONS jackpot increases to $625 million ahead of tonight’s draw

Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network Partners with Law Enforcement to Reduce Opioid Deaths

In response to the rising opioid epidemic, Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network is working with the … [Read More...] about Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network Partners with Law Enforcement to Reduce Opioid Deaths

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Newsletter signup

Stay in the loop! Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive a brief recap of the week's most popular stories.

Footer

News

  • Soup Du Jour
  • People
  • Government
  • Campaign
  • Business
  • Education
  • Insights
  • Video

About Us 

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021
Terms & Conditions

© Copyright 2021 Capital Soup · All Rights Reserved ·