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Utah Senate weighs broad volunteer immunity bill amid debate about litigation and insurance
Summary
Senators debated two companion bills on Feb. 20, 1998: a broad measure (SB 54) extending limited immunity to independent volunteers and food donors, and a narrower bill (SB 157) limiting liability for nonprofit-corporation volunteers; both advanced to third reading after divided debate and votes.
Senators spent a large portion of the Feb. 20 floor session debating two measures intended to protect volunteers from civil liability while balancing injured parties’ access to remedies.
Senator Michael Taylor, sponsor of Senate Bill 54, described the bill as a way to encourage volunteerism and to provide limited immunity for volunteers and for donors who give food directly to needy people. Taylor said the bill protects only against simple negligence, excludes gross negligence and willful misconduct, and lowers nonprofit insurance thresholds so more organizations can qualify for immunity. He also proposed a market-assisted program (MAP) to provide a last-resort insurance layer for independent…
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