BISMARCK — The North Dakota House of Representatives has approved a bill that would shield employers from lawsuits by workers who caught COVID-19 while on the job.
After a lengthy debate, the lower chamber voted by a 77-17 margin on Friday, Feb. 5, to advance House Bill 1175 to the Senate.
The bill, which mirrors several other proposals brought by lawmakers, would sink any civil lawsuit brought by employees who allege they contracted or were exposed to COVID-19 at work — unless they believe their employer intended to hurt them. The legislation specifically mentions health care providers as employers that would gain liability protection.
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Republicans in Congress have repeatedly pushed similar legislation at the federal level, but Democrats have held firm against their efforts. Several states, including North Carolina and Nevada, have independently passed liability protections for employers with bipartisan support. However, the bill in North Dakota goes further than most in guarding businesses from legal action.
Dickinson Republican Rep. Mike Lefor and other supporters of the bill said it would prevent out-of-state law firms from coming into North Dakota and stirring up frivolous lawsuits against businesses that can't afford to defend themselves.
House Minority Leader Josh Boschee, D-Fargo, voted against the bill, saying it didn't provide any protections for workers in the state who have risked their health to serve customers during the pandemic. Boschee was joined in opposition by a handful of Democrats and ultra-conservative members of the House.
If passed, the bill would retroactively apply from the beginning of 2020.
