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Committee lays over bill seeking criminal immunity for healthcare providers in cases of honest mistakes amid sharp partisan debate
Summary
Senate File 971, which would limit criminal prosecution of healthcare providers for good-faith medical errors while preserving civil and licensing remedies, drew strong support from many nursing and hospital leaders and sharp opposition from others; the committee laid the bill over after heated debate and a proposed amendment.
Senate File 971, a bill that would limit criminal prosecution of health care providers for good‑faith medical errors while preserving civil and licensing remedies, drew extensive testimony both for and against and was laid over by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 18, 2025.
Sponsor Senator Mann said the bill is intended to protect clinicians from criminal prosecution for unintentional mistakes and to encourage transparent reporting and systems learning. “This bill does not prevent investigation. This bill does not prevent the removal of a medical license,” Mann said, adding that “an unintended error should not make someone a criminal.” He and supporters also emphasized the need to maintain workforce recruitment and retention.
Suppo…
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