Bill · H.R. 99· House(119-HR-99)
Protecting Businesses From Frivolous COVID Lawsuits Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 1/3/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Biggs
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Protecting Businesses From Frivolous COVID Lawsuits Act of 2025," targets Federal civil actions. It specifically addresses claims for damages based on negligence regarding the transmission of COVID-19. The legislation would require courts to provide a specific jury instruction in these cases. This instruction defines the reasonable person standard for negligence. Additionally, it establishes that opening a business is considered reasonable as a matter of law.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would business owners be better off under this?+7
Business owners are protected from negligence claims based solely on the act of remaining open for business.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+6
The bill provides legal protection for businesses by establishing that the act of opening a business is considered reasonable as a matter of law in COVID-19 negligence claims.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+3
The bill protects business operations which can impact the continuity of services in urban areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection for business owners: The bill states that the act of opening a business by itself is considered reasonable as a matter of law, meaning negligence cannot be found solely because a business was open (Section 2).
-
Clearer legal standards: The bill requires the court to instruct juries that the liability standard is the reasonable person standard, defining negligence as doing something a reasonably careful person would not do or failing to do what a reasonably careful person would do (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+7Good For Urban Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+2
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House