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Judiciary & Rules committee sends bill waiving immunity for gene-therapy manufacturers to print
Summary
Senator Shippey introduced RS32700 to deem manufacturers of human gene therapy products for infectious diseases to have waived immunity from suit for design defects; the committee voted to send the measure to print after a brief presentation and voice vote.
The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee voted to send RS32700 to print after Senator Shippey introduced legislation that would deem manufacturers of human gene therapy products for infectious disease indications to have waived any immunity from suit for injuries caused by a design defect.
The measure was presented by Senator Shippey, who said the bill seeks “to ensure accountability in the distribution and administration of human gene therapy products for infectious disease indications in Idaho.” Shippey cited the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, saying that as of Dec. 27, 2024, the system recorded “19,176 deaths” nationally and “34 deaths” in Idaho related to those products. “This product was authorized under emergency authorization and has seen multiple adverse effects, including deaths,” Shippey said, and told the committee the bill would waive “any immunity from suit for injuries caused by design defect of the human gene therapy product, including immunity granted pursuant [to] U.S. federal code.”
The sponsor said the bill is intended to provide “recourse” for people harmed and to address what he described as gaps in long-term safety data and regulatory oversight. He acknowledged the bill is likely to be introduced late in the session and asked that it be printed for further consideration.
Senator Foreman moved to send RS32700 to print; Senator Keiser seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion by voice vote and the measure was ordered to print.
The committee did not hold an extended debate on the measure, and no formal roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript. The sponsor referenced VAERS data and emergency use authorizations but did not cite a specific federal statute or provision beyond a general reference to "U.S. federal code." The committee chair and members did not request additional staff analyses or data during the brief discussion recorded in the transcript.
RS32700 will be printed for further work; the transcript indicates it may be referred to health-related committees depending on scheduling and committee rules.
