Politics & Government
DeSantis Signs Bill Extending COVID-Liability Protections For Another Year
DeSantis signed nine bills sent to him by the Florida Legislature, including a measure extending protections for medical providers.
FLORIDA — Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed nine bills sent to him by the Florida Legislature, including a measure extending protections for medical providers against COVID-related legal claims for another year.
The move came exactly two weeks after the liability shield cleared its final vote in the Florida House.
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The Legislature first interposed the liability shield last year, subject to expiration on March 29 this year. Under the new bill (SB 7014) the protections would run until June 1, 2023.
Democrats tended to oppose the legislation, arguing it could give cover to medical providers offering substandard care. Republicans, however, argued that emerging variants of the coronavirus, which available vaccines and treatments control with varying efficacy if at all, justify the extension.
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