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Montana, together with the rest of the U.S., has suffered through practically an entire year filled with the destructive COVID-19 pandemic. The effect on our health can be measured by infection rates, the number of hospitalizations, and COVID-19 associated deaths. Quantifying the effects on our economy is far more challenging.
On his second day in workplace, Gov. Greg Gianforte took an essential first action in suppressing the economic fallout by focusing on COVID-19 civil liability protections for businesses, healthcare suppliers, makers, and others. Recognizing that lawsuits related to COVID-19 could haunt company long after the disease is history, the recently minted governor pressed legislative relief to the top of his "to do" list by asking Montana's Legislature to pass Senate Expense 65 (SB65) and protecting those who comply with state and regional security standards.
As the pandemic continues, the exposure to company and the danger it presents to Montana's financial health is undesirable, specifically as organizations want to endure and recover. The danger of lawsuits to business is real. Dining establishments, automobile dealers, health clubs, and retail establishments, among others, are genuinely worried that despite the security procedures they use, contact tracing could cause high attorney costs or heavy civil judgments if there are not laws in location to safeguard them.
Over the last 6 months, the Montana Chamber has actually been working with service leaders, candidates, and elected officials, consisting of Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick of Great Falls and Rep. Reference of Bigfork, to craft SB65. This expense safeguards companies from litigation if a client claims to have actually contracted COVID-19 in their company.
SB65 does not give a pass to "bad stars." This legislation will not protect organizations that decline to follow health guidelines for protecting customers and employees from possible infection. While we wait on widespread vaccine circulation, businesses require an extra shot of confidence in understanding they can not be sued for doing their finest to endure in these unprecedented times.