(INDIANAPOLIS) — Indiana doesn’t plan to wait on Congress to limit coronavirus lawsuits.
Congressional Democrats have opposed Republicans’ call to say you can’t sue a business because
you caught COVID there. It’s been a major sticking point in the months-long stalemate over a new
pandemic relief bill, though it’s included in a bipartisan compromise that’s restarted negotiations.
But in Indiana, leaders of both parties in the General Assembly are not only backing a state liability
shield, but may fast-track it to get it signed into law next month. Senate President Pro Tem Rod
Bray (R-Martinsville) says businesses have to have confidence they can get back to work without the
threat of a crippling lawsuit.
The bill’s likely to cover nonprofits, schools, and government buildings too.
House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) says he supports the idea, but says the bill needs to be written narrowly so it applies only to COVID.
