State Legislature Wraps Up Special Sessions

May 1, 2020

Last week, the Utah State Legislature wrapped up three special sessions in which lawmakers passed a number of bills to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, including measures to expand unemployment benefits and to provide immunity from coronavirus claims for business operators. Another special session will be held, likely in May, to consider adjustments to the $20 billion state budget passed earlier this year.

A rundown of key bills approved by the legislature and signed by the Governor care are outlined below:

SB3007 – Immunity Related to COVID-19 – except in cases of gross negligence, provides immunity to business operators from claims that customers acquired COVID-19 while visiting the business. 

SB3003 – Unemployment Benefit Amendments – provides for first week coverage of unemployment benefits as funded by the federal government under the CARES Act.  Previously Utah did not provide first week coverage.

SB3002 – Emergency HealthCare Access & Immunity Amendments – provides immunity to health care providers, except for gross negligence, when providing care during a major public health emergency. Allows off-label use of certain devices and drugs already approved by FDA and provides limited immunity for healthcare providers who use investigational devices or drugs during a major public health emergency. Immunity applies to the provider, not the manufacturer. 

SB3004 – Covid-19 Health and Economic Response Act – creates the Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission tasked with advising the Governor on the state’s economic response to COVID-19.

SB3006 – Covid-19 Financial Relief Funding – provides $20M in grants for agricultural operations, individual housing grants and subsidies for up to one month of rent for commercial operations.