Skip to main content
HR 5079 117th 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: August 23, 2021 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
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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
Nov 1, 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Aug 23, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Aug 23, 2021
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action November 1, 2022

Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

 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, 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 requirements. 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.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 17
All 17 Republican 14
Lesko, Debbie
· Dec 7, 2021
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Sep 23, 2021
 R
Steube, W. Gregory
Florida · Sep 7, 2021
 R
Thompson, Glenn
Pennsylvania · Sep 3, 2021
 R
Grothman, Glenn
Wisconsin · Aug 24, 2021
 R
Allen, Rick W.
Georgia · Aug 23, 2021
 R
Barr, Andy
Kentucky · Aug 23, 2021
Bishop, Dan
· Aug 23, 2021
 R
Cline, Ben
Virginia · Aug 23, 2021
 R
Hudson, Richard
North Carolina · Aug 23, 2021
Lamborn, Doug
· Aug 23, 2021
 R
Letlow, Julia
Louisiana · Aug 23, 2021
 R
Miller-Meeks, Mariannette
Iowa · Aug 23, 2021
 R
Norman, Ralph
South Carolina · Aug 23, 2021
 R
Obernolte, Jay
California · Aug 23, 2021
 R
Tiffany, Thomas P.
Wisconsin · Aug 23, 2021
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Aug 23, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5079: Open Schools Responsibly Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5079/
MLA
"H.R. 5079: Open Schools Responsibly Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5079/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5079, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5079/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5079: Open Schools Responsibly Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5079/)
Report a problem