§76-112. Short title - COVID-19 Product Protection Act –
772 words·~4 min read·
/ok/title-76-torts/76-112·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Limitations on liability.
A. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "COVID- 19 Product Protection Act".
B. As used in this act:
1. "COVID-19" means the novel coronavirus identified as SARS- CoV-2, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, and conditions associated with the disease;
2. "COVID-19 public health emergency" means any emergency declared by the Governor of Oklahoma related to COVID-19, including but not limited to the emergency declared by the Governor by Executive Order 2020-07, and any amendments thereto, under the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003, Section 683.1 et seq. of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, beginning on March 15, 2020, and
the health emergency declared by the Governor by Executive Order 2020-13, and any amendments thereto, under the Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act, Section 6101 et seq. of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, beginning on April 8, 2020;
3. "Disinfecting and cleaning supplies" includes, but is not limited to, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, sprays, and wipes;
4. "Essential business" means a person or entity:
a. within a critical infrastructure sector as defined by
the United States Department of Homeland Security,
b. defined as essential by the Oklahoma Department of
Commerce through use of the North American Industry
Classification System during the COVID-19 pandemic, or
c. within an industry designated as critical or essential
by Executive Order or Executive Memorandum;
5. "First responder" means state and local law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel and emergency medical personnel. First responder includes a person authorized by executive order who will be deployed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
6. "Health care facility" and "health care provider" shall have the same meaning as such terms are defined as provided in Section 6104 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes;
7. "Person" means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation or association;
8. "Personal protective equipment" means coveralls, face shields, gloves, gowns, masks, respirators, and other equipment designed to protect the wearer from the spread of infection or illness; and
9. "Qualified product" means personal protective equipment used to protect the wearer from COVID-19 or the spread of COVID-19; medical devices, equipment, or supplies used to treat COVID-19 including products that are used or modified for an unapproved use to treat COVID-19 or prevent the spread of COVID-19; medical devices, equipment, or supplies utilized outside of such product's normal use to treat COVID-19 or to prevent the spread of COVID-19; medications used to treat COVID-19 patients including medications prescribed or dispensed for off-label use to attempt to combat COVID-19; tests to diagnose or determine immunity to COVID-19; and components of qualified products.
C. Except as provided by subsection E of this section, any person that designs, manufactures, labels, sells, distributes, or donates disinfecting and cleaning supplies or personal protective equipment during and in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency that does not make such products in the ordinary course of business shall not be liable in a civil action alleging personal injury, death or property damage caused by or resulting from the
product's manufacturing or design, or a failure to provide proper instructions or sufficient warnings.
D. Except as provided by subsection E of this section, a government entity, health care facility, health care provider, first responder, or any business, or the employer or agent of such business, that utilizes a product meeting the qualifications of either subsection C or D of this section, shall not be liable in a civil action alleging personal injury, death or property damage caused by or resulting from the selection, distribution, or use of such product.
E. The immunity provided in subsections C and D of this section shall not apply to any person, or any employee or agent thereof, that:
1. a. Had actual knowledge that the product was defective
when put to the use for which the product was
manufactured, sold, distributed, or donated, and
b. Acted with deliberate indifference to or conscious
disregard of a substantial and unnecessary risk that
the product would cause serious injury to others; or
2. Acted with a deliberate intention to cause harm.
F. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to:
1. Relieve a plaintiff of the need to satisfy any required element of a claim; or
2. Amend, repeal, alter or affect any other immunity or limitation of liability provided for under the laws of this state.
G. The provisions of this section shall apply to any claim arising on or after the emergency declared by the Governor of Oklahoma related to COVID-19 by Executive Order 2020-07 on March 15, 2020. Added by Laws 2020, c. 160, § 1, emerg. eff. May 21, 2020.