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Volunteer Protection Act of 1997

Introduced: April 9, 1997 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 35 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 18, 1997
Became Public Law No: 105-19.
Jun 18, 1997
Signed by President.
Jun 12, 1997
Presented to President.
May 22, 1997
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
May 21, 1997
Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate bill by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4918)
May 21, 1997
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate bill by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4918)
May 21, 1997
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
May 21, 1997
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 21, 1997
A similar measure H.R. 911 was laid on the table without objection.
May 21, 1997
On passage Passed without objection.
May 21, 1997
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
May 21, 1997
The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 911. Agreed to without objection.
May 21, 1997
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H3118-3120)
May 21, 1997
Mr. Inglis asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
May 21, 1997
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
May 5, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 5, 1997
Received in the House.
May 2, 1997
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
May 1, 1997
Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99-1. Record Vote No: 55.
May 1, 1997
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99-1. Record Vote No: 55.
May 1, 1997
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S3861-3867, S3870-3880)
Apr 30, 1997
Second cloture motion on the motion to proceed not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 55-44. Record Vote No: 53. (consideration: CR S3818)
Apr 30, 1997
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S3810-3819, S3824-3831, S3833-3836)
Apr 29, 1997
Forth cloture motion on the motion to proceed to consideration presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S3797)
Apr 29, 1997
Third cloture motion on the motion to proceed to consideration presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S3797)
Apr 29, 1997
Cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53-46. Record Vote No: 52. (consideration: CR S3782)
Apr 29, 1997
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S3763-3773, S3778-3797)
Apr 28, 1997
Second cloture motion on the motion to proceed presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S3748)
Apr 28, 1997
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S3744-3748)
Apr 25, 1997
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate.
Apr 25, 1997
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S3738)
Apr 25, 1997
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to consideration presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S3738-3739)
Apr 10, 1997
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 38.
Apr 9, 1997
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Apr 9, 1997
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 - States that this Act preempts inconsistent State law except when such law provides additional protection from liability relating to volunteers in the performance of services for a nonprofit organization or governmental entity. Makes this Act inapplicable to any civil action in a State court against a volunteer in which all parties are citizens of the State if such State enacts a statute declaring its election that this Act not apply.

Exempts a volunteer of a nonprofit organization or governmental entity from liability for harm caused by an act or omission of the volunteer on behalf of such organization or entity if: (1) the volunteer was acting within the scope of his or her responsibilities at the time; (2) the volunteer was properly licensed or otherwise authorized for the activities or practice in the State in which the harm occurred; (3) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed; and (4) the harm was not caused by the volunteer operating a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle for which the State requires the operator or owner to possess an operator's license or maintain insurance.

Specifies conditions of State laws limiting volunteer liability which shall not be construed as inconsistent with this Act.

Prohibits the award of punitive damages against a volunteer unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm was proximately caused by an action of such volunteer which constitutes willful or criminal misconduct or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.

Provides that the volunteer liability limitations of this Act shall not apply to any misconduct: (1) that constitutes a crime of violence, an act of international terrorism, or a hate crime; (2) that involves a sexual offense or a violation of civil rights law; or (3) where the defendant was under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or any drug.

Makes each volunteer liable for noneconomic loss only in the amount allocated to such defendant in direct proportion to the percentage of responsibility for the harm for which that defendant is liable. Requires the trier of fact to determine such percentage of responsibility.

What's happening now June 18, 1997

Became Public Law No: 105-19.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1