Tomorrow (Wednesday, September 9), the Michigan House Judiciary Committee is expected to consider a series of bills relating to protecting various groups, industries, and people from liability for claims relating to exposure to COVID-19.
House Bill 6030 may be of interest to those clubs with concerns about conducting their events while under a higher-than-normal exposure to liability risks.
Bill Summary:
House Bill 6030 in part states the following:
- A person is not liable for a claim regarding COVID-19 exposure on any premises – including during an activity managed by the person – unless there is “clear and convincing evidence” that there was “reckless disregard of a substantial and unnecessary risk”, or there was a deliberate intent to harm someone.
- A person who is in “substantial” or “reasonable” compliance with federal, state, and other public health regulations and guidelines at the time of the incident is not liable for COVID exposure claims. This remains true even if more than one public health guideline applies to the alleged issue or incident.
- A person may not bring a claim regarding COVID unless the claim relates to a “minimum medical condition”, which is defined as a positive diagnosis that results in at least 24 hours of hospitalization, an inability to participate in normal and customary activities for at least 14 days (not including quarantine), or death.
What You Can Do:
Contact the House Judiciary Committee to provide your comments on House Bill 6030. You can find the contact information for your State Representative by putting your address in the “Find Your Elected Officials” box on the home page of the AKC Legislative Action Center. View a sample letter here.
The House Judiciary Committee contact information is as follows:
Rep. Graham Filler, Chair
Phone: (517)373-1778
Email: GrahamFiller@house.mi.gov
Rep. Ryan Berman
Phone: (517)373-1799
Email: RyanBerman@house.mi.gov
Rep. Kyra Bolden
Phone: (517)373-1788
Email: KyraBolden@house.mi.gov
Rep. Brian Elder
Phone: (517)373-0158
Email: BrianElder@house.mi.gov
Rep. Diana Farrington
Phone: (517)373-7768
Email: DianaFarrington@house.mi.gov
Rep. Vanessa Guerra
Phone: (517)373-0152
Email: VanessaGuerra@house.mi.gov
Rep. Gary Howell
Phone: (517)373-1800
Email: GaryHowell@house.mi.gov
Rep. Steven Johnson
Phone: (517)373-0840
Email: StevenJohnson@house.mi.gov
Rep. Beau LaFave
Phone: (517)373-0156
Email: BeauLaFave@house.mi.gov
Rep. David LaGrand
Phone: (517)373-2668
Email: DavidLaGrand@house.mi.gov
Rep. Daire Rendon
Phone: (517)373-3817
Email: DaireRendon@house.mi.gov
Rep. Douglas Wozniak
Phone: (517)373-0843
Email: DouglasWozniak@house.mi.gov
Rep. Tenisha Yancey
Phone: (517)373-0154
Email: TenishaYancey@house.mi.gov
AKC Government Relations continues to track bills across the country relating to the issue of COVID-19 liability. For the latest information on this topic, visit the COVID-19 Liability key issues page in the AKC Legislative Action Center.
To view AKC legislative information and updates relating to COVID-19 and how they are impacting dogs, events, and businesses, visit www.akcgr.org/covid19.
For more information, contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.