Pennsylvania Legislators pass important liability protection for small businesses
HARRISBURG (Nov. 20, 2020) – Today, the General Assembly took a huge step forward in the effort to get Pennsylvania’s economy back on track by passing HB 1737. The bill will provide temporary COVID-19 liability protection to small businesses, specifically those small businesses that have followed federal and state health guidelines. The legislation will give small business owners the confidence to re-open their doors and call their employees back to work.
“As we all know, these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary acts of executive leadership. On behalf of the 13,000 members of NFIB in Pennsylvania, I respectfully reach out to Governor Wolf and request that he do the right thing and give our struggling small business sector needed liability protection,” said Pennsylvania State Director Gordon Denlinger. “Majorities in both the Pennsylvania House and Senate have demonstrated a willingness to stand with their friends and neighbors who own local stores. Now is the time for Governor Wolf to join this effort and help prevent business closures that will result from frivolous lawsuits.”
Many other states have enacted similar protections for a range of entities, and with the affirmative vote on HB 1737, Pennsylvania can now extend liability protection if Governor Wolf sets politics aside and comes to the aid of our small shops and stores across the Commonwealth.
According to NFIB’s research, nearly 70% of small business owners are concerned about liability claims increases.
