Congress.gov, S.4317, "SAFE TO WORK Act," 116th Congress (Internet Archive copy of March 14, 2025)

Summary

A Congress.gov bill page, as preserved by the Wayback Machine, for S.4317, the SAFE TO WORK Act, 116th Congress, sponsored by Sen. Cornyn, John and introduced 07/27/2020 with 23 cosponsors. The page records that the bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary on 07/27/2020. The CRS summary states that the bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19, so that claims of harm from coronavirus exposure or treatment before October 1, 2024 may be brought only under the causes of action it creates. A business would be liable only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence a lack of reasonable compliance efforts, gross negligence or willful misconduct, and causation by actual exposure. The bill also limits coronavirus-related class actions and liability tied to workplace testing.

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Full text

The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20250314055410/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/4317




     S.4317 - SAFE TO WORK Act
     116th Congress (2019-2020)



        Sponsor:       Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] (Introduced 07/27/2020)
        Committees: Senate - Judiciary
        Latest Action: Senate - 07/27/2020 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)
        Tracker:        Introduced




     Summary(1)       Text(1)   Actions(1)    Titles(3)   Amendments(0)       Cosponsors(23)         Committees(1)   Related Bills(3)


             Listen
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     There is one summary for S.4317. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.


     Shown Here:
     Introduced in Senate (07/27/2020)
     Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or
     the SAFE TO WORK Act


     This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).

     Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1,
     2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt
     any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants.

     An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only
     if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with
     government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3)
     actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidence standard is a higher standard of proof than is
     typically required in a civil action.)

     Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by
     clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such
     actions directly caused the injury.

     The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer
     or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose
     limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus
     testing.


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