Austin (1080 KRLD)- Business leaders in Texas hope the State House of Representatives will soon take action on a bill that would protect businesses against "frivolous" lawsuits during the pandemic. The bill, authored by Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills), passed the State Senate last week 29-1.
The bill would stop lawsuits against businesses, organizations and health care providers if someone catches COVID-19 but the business made a "good faith" effort to follow state and CDC protocols.
"We need some liability protection, not for gross negligence, of course, but for someone who's been following the state rules and the CDC rules," says Mary Frazior, president and chief executive of the HEB Chamber of Commerce.
Frazior says the measure gained bi-partisan support because it would primarily benefit small companies.
"A large company has, probably, a team of lawyers or lawyers on retainer. A small business wouldn't necessarily have that," she says. "Senators know this could affect all types of businesses, all sizes of businesses, no matter where a business is located in Texas. They would all need that protection."
When businesses first started reopening, Frazior says many were studying protocols and looking for places to print signs for capacity limits and six-foot distancing. She says stores are just starting to see people return, so they want to ensure customers are safe.
"You want your customers and potential customers to feel comfortable going into your establishment, and you also want to protect your employees," Frazior says.
"I think as more people get vaccinated, the more comfortable everyone will feel about being out and about, going to restaurants, going to stores, shopping in-person as opposed to online."
Frazior also says many places are struggling to hire enough employees to return to full capacity, saying a labor shortage is now hitting bars and restaurants.
The bill is now in the Texas House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee awaiting action.
