AUSTIN – While the first three phases of the federal government’s stimulus and relief efforts have been “meaningful and robust,” protections are still needed for job creators and health care professionals, states a letter sent to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
On May 12, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen sent a letter to Congressional Leaders asking them to support liability protections for Texas employers.
In the letter, the three state leaders urge Congress to support the inclusion of legal protections in the next phase of federal coronavirus relief legislation that would protect business owners, healthcare facilities and employees, and first responders from being held liable for COVID-19 exposure claims when they adhere to relevant public health guidelines and make good faith efforts to limit the risk of exposure and infection.
“Facing record unemployment and an unprecedented financial crisis, we must take immediate and swift action to protect our state’s job creators and our healthcare industry from crippling litigation that would certainly delay the full recovery of our economy,” reads the letter. “Federal action is the swiftest course to provide liability protections, and we ask for your leadership and support for such measures in the next phase of COVID-19 recovery legislation.
“Because many Texas businesses and healthcare providers operate in multiple states or have multi-state supply chains, the United States Congress is uniquely positioned to deliver the appropriate nation-wide solution.”