NASHVILLE – The state Senate on Thursday passed legislation to make it more difficult for Tennesseans to sue businesses, hospitals, schools, universities and nonprofit groups over COVID-19 if the entities are following public guidelines related to the disease.
The “Tennessee Recovery and Safe Harbor Act,” which originated with a 30-member group of trade groups and other entities led by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, passed the Senate 26-0 and proceeds to the House.
The measure toughens standards to bring lawsuits and includes retroactive provisions that some are already calling constitutionally suspect.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Mike Bell, R-Riceville, said the measure is aimed at restoring confidence to businesses and others already open as well as others trying to reopen and “struggling mightily to salvage everything and move toward recovery in this historic shutdown.”
Bell said employers “taking reasonable workplace precautions should not be subject to legal exposure,” and the legislation is “intended to provide protections against inconsistent rules” that “could lead to soaring lawsuits.”