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HR 7710 116th Congress House

Open Schools Responsibly Act

Official title: To provide liability protection for elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 21, 2020 Introduced by: Murphy, Gregory F. Republican · North Carolina See on congress.gov
Law Cardiovascular and respiratory healthCivil actions and liabilityEducational facilities and institutionsElementary and secondary education
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Emergency medical services and trauma careFederal preemptionHigher educationInfectious and parasitic diseasesState and local government operations
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 22, 2020
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3670)
Jul 21, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 21, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 22, 2020

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3670)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Open Schools Responsibly Act

This bill limits civil liability for elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education relating to any harm arising from exposure to, or infection by, coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) suffered by a student, employee, or visitor. Specifically, a school or institution shall not be liable for such harm if the school or institution was in compliance with applicable state and federal guidelines. However, a school or institution may be liable for acts or omissions that constitute willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 5079 Reintroduced Bill Open Schools Responsibly Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 41
All 41 Republican 22
R
Marshall, Roger
Kansas · Aug 11, 2020
Stivers, Steve
· Aug 11, 2020
Gallagher, Mike
· Aug 7, 2020
Lamborn, Doug
· Aug 7, 2020
 R
Green, Mark E.
Texas · Aug 4, 2020
Brooks, Susan
· Jul 31, 2020
 R
Guthrie, Brett
Kentucky · Jul 31, 2020
Keller, Fred
· Jul 30, 2020
 R
Allen, Rick W.
Georgia · Jul 29, 2020
 R
LaHood, Darin
Illinois · Jul 29, 2020
 R
Latta, Robert E.
Ohio · Jul 29, 2020
SHIMKUS, JOHN
· Jul 29, 2020
Wenstrup, Brad
· Jul 29, 2020
 R
Barr, Andy
Kentucky · Jul 24, 2020
 R
Cline, Ben
Virginia · Jul 24, 2020
Flores, Bill
· Jul 24, 2020
 R
Fulcher, Russ
Idaho · Jul 24, 2020
 R
Hudson, Richard
North Carolina · Jul 24, 2020
 R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · Jul 24, 2020
 R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Jul 23, 2020
Conaway, K.
· Jul 23, 2020
Hagedorn, Jim
· Jul 23, 2020
Hartzler, Vicky
· Jul 23, 2020
 R
Meuser, Daniel
Pennsylvania · Jul 22, 2020
Roe, David
· Jul 22, 2020
 R
Thompson, Glenn
Pennsylvania · Jul 22, 2020
Walker, Mark
· Jul 22, 2020
Abraham, Ralph
· Jul 21, 2020
 R
Babin, Brian
Texas · Jul 21, 2020
Bishop, Dan
· Jul 21, 2020
Byrne, Bradley
· Jul 21, 2020
 R
Comer, James
Kentucky · Jul 21, 2020
 R
Grothman, Glenn
Wisconsin · Jul 21, 2020
 R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · Jul 21, 2020
Lesko, Debbie
· Jul 21, 2020
Mooney, Alexander
· Jul 21, 2020
 R
Norman, Ralph
South Carolina · Jul 21, 2020
 R
Tiffany, Thomas P.
Wisconsin · Jul 21, 2020
 R
Wagner, Ann
Missouri · Jul 21, 2020
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Jul 21, 2020
Wright, Ron
· Jul 21, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 7710: Open Schools Responsibly Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7710/
MLA
"H.R. 7710: Open Schools Responsibly Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7710/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 7710, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7710/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 7710: Open Schools Responsibly Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7710/)
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