Senate bill introduced to legally shield disaster relief medical volunteers

A group of United States senators last week reintroduced an effort to update the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 and extend legal protections for medical volunteers working in federally-recognized disaster relief efforts.

Authored by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Angus King (I-ME), with half a dozen co-sponsors, the Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act is meant to better protect the volunteer community. While protections do exist, the previously mentioned 1997 law only extended shielding from litigation over potential in-service economic damages to those volunteering through non-profit agencies or government organizations.

In other words, those who volunteered on their own have been left potentially exposed to damages for decades. Nor does the existing legislation protect those who cross state lines to volunteer during crises.

“After disasters like Hurricane Katrina, Laura and Ida, recovery depends on the volunteers and medical professionals who selflessly come to Louisiana to help those in need,” Cassidy said. “The least we can do in return is provide needed legal protections while they aid disaster victims.”

If passed, the new bill would extend economic protections to any licensed medical providers looking to help during such times, whether working with an organization or on their own recognizance. This is especially needed given the scale of federal and state efforts to encourage volunteering during crises, the senators contended, combined with the lack of clarity on protections in the event of large-scale disasters.

“Amidst the chaos and sorrow of the last 18 months, the selflessness and caring of the American people has been on full display,” King said. “Time and time again, Americans have volunteered to help their fellow citizens in the face of a deadly pandemic and a series of natural disasters — especially our healthcare professionals, who have put their skills and training to use to save lives. These Good Samaritans can make all the difference in times of crisis, and should be celebrated and encouraged — not punished. Our legislation will permanently ensure that volunteers working to confront emergencies will have reasonable legal protections, allowing them to carry out their work and help Americans in need.”

Notably, the new bill will not help any volunteers that cause damages deliberately, recklessly, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or criminally, no matter the situation.