Governor Signs S.B. 300 Providing Immunity for Physicians, Hospitals and Other Providers

Since the first emergency orders signed by Governor Stitt, Oklahoma physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers have anticipated the emergency granting of some measure of statutory immunity to support care during the COVID-19 pandemic.  On April 20, the Governor amended Emergency Order 2020-13 but stopped short in filling the gap needed to support the healthcare system at this challenging time leaving the task to the legislature upon its return this month.

On May 6, the Senate approved S.B. 300 granting limited immunity to providers on the front lines of this epidemic.  The bill provides for civil immunity “…for any loss or harm to a person by an act or omission by the facility or provider that occurs during the COVID-19 public health emergency…” so long as the act or omission did not result from the provider’s or facility’s “willful or wanton misconduct” in providing the services.  The grant of immunity excludes immunity from liability for provision of services to people who do not have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses at the time the care was provided.  The grant of immunity expires on October 31, 2020, unless amended by the legislature.

The statute adopts the following definition of Health Care Providers from the Catastrophic Emergency Powers Act 63 O.S. §6104(6):

  • Physicians

  • Dentists

  • Pharmacists

  • Physician Assistants

  • Nurse Practitioners

  • Registered and Other Nurses

  • Paramedics

  • Laboratory Technicians

  • Ambulance and Emergency Medical Workers

The statute also adopts the following expansive definition of Health Care Facilities also from 63 O.S. §6104(5) of the Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act:

  • Hospitals

  • Ambulatory Care Facilities

  • Outpatient Facilities

  • Public Health Clinics and Centers

  • Dialysis Centers

  • Intermediate Care Facilities

  • Mental Health Centers

  • Residential Treatment Facilities

  • Skilled Nursing Facilities

  • Special Care Facilities

  • Medical Laboratories

  • Adult Day Care

These facilities, not an exclusive or complete list, may be proprietary or non-proprietary, non-federal buildings.  Further, property used in connection with such facilities may be included such as pharmacies, offices and office buildings for persons engaged in the health care professions, research facilities and laundry facilities.

The statute defines “Health care services” as those provided by a health care facility or provider, or by an individual working under the supervision of such a facility or provider, related to “…the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, treatment, aid, shelter, assistance, or care of illness, disease, injury or condition.”

In summary, the act provides for immunity for civil liability for loss or harm to a person with a suspect at or confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses caused by the provider or facility during the pandemic as long as the act or omission occurred during the course of treatment including decision-making, staffing, capacity of space of equipment in response to the epidemic and as long as the act or omission was not the result of the gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct of the provider or facility.  The statute do not grant such immunity to providers of services to individuals who do not have suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.

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