According to the Georgian “COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act”, which was passed and entered into force in 2020, the Georgian legislature has extended liability protection by one year until July 14, 2022. The bill was sent to Governor Brian Kemp for his consideration.
To address the potential legal liability related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the law should protect healthcare facilities, businesses and other entities from civil liability. The only limited exceptions were cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The law also does not affect the right of employees to assert claims for damages from employees or to lodge complaints with the occupational health and safety authorities with regard to safety or health issues at work.
When the law was passed in 2020, it was widely expected that the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic would only last about a year, so the law included a sunset clause that ended protection on July 14, 2021.
Despite falling hospitalization rates and the rollout of highly effective vaccines, concerns remain about the possible course of the pandemic in 2021. The spread of COVID-19 variants, the reopening of many businesses and schools, and the easing of restrictions in some states could all contribute to increasing this Infection rates.
As a result, the Georgia House of Representatives introduced and passed Law 112 to extend the sunset clause through July 14, 2022. Legislators advocate extending liability coverage as necessary as the country continues to grapple with the effects of the pandemic. The bill was passed in partisan parliament on February 9, 2021, with 99 Republicans voting in favor and 68 Democrats voting against. On March 17, 2021, the Senate also passed the law on party lines, 36-17.
Governor Kemp has until April 27 to either sign or veto the laws. If he does nothing, legislation automatically becomes law.
