coronavirus liability

The state Senate Judiciary Committee backed a proposal that would help shield Florida health providers from lawsuits until June 1, 2023.

The bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis means colleges and universities are protected from class-action lawsuits from those seeking to recoup money for students after the shift to all-virtual instruction.

Under the proposal, public and private colleges and universities would be shielded from lawsuits stemming from campuses being shut down during the pandemic and students being forced to learn online.

The governor says COVID-19 'passports' would create “huge” privacy issues. He made his comments after reports that the Biden administration was considering them.

If enacted, businesses, governments and health care providers will be protected from COVID-19 lawsuits if they make a good effort to follow guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease.

Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls said the House would accept a proposal that the Senate amended and passed Thursday.

The Senate originally had separate bills for health care workers and businesses, but Sen. Jeff Brandes combined them last week.

COVID liability bills aimed at protecting businesses and health care providers from lawsuits are heading to the Senate floor after being merged together in an effort to increase their chances of passing.

The White House says $1,400 checks to many Americans under the bill could begin arriving as soon as this weekend. The bill also directs funding to schools, businesses and vaccine distribution.

The Judiciary Committee agreed to lower a burden of proof plaintiffs would need to meet and scrapping a requirement that plaintiffs obtain affidavits from physicians before lawsuits could proceed.