Governor Kemp Signs Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act

On August 5, 2020, Governor Kemp signed into law the Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act. This was one of the final bills to pass out of the legislature on the last day of the 2020 Legislative Session. The Act was written and considered in response to concerns of small businesses throughout Georgia regarding potential legal liability for COVID-19 claims against owners as the economy re-opens in Georgia. The law applies to any COVID-19 claim arising on or after August 5, 2020. For a summary of the highlights of the Act, please read our July 1, law alert, “Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act,” here.

The authors were actively involved in the passage of the Act during the final days of the 2020 Legislative Session. While other bills circulating during those days provided for different levels of protections and defenses, none of those bills had the broad based support of key legislative leadership and business advocacy groups and would not have passed.