New Law Limits Liability To Storm Shelter Owners Opening To Public

With severe weather looming in the next couple days, many people without a shelter at home may be looking for somewhere to go. Now, a new law just signed by Gov. Fallin, Monday, will make it easier for officials to open public buildings for storm shelters, by eliminating their liability.

At Bethany Schools' new Early Education Center they are building two tornado safe rooms. That's in addition to rooms already in place at the current school. All will be or are currently open to the public when there is a threat of severe weather.

"We feel like we owe that to our community," said Bethany Superintendent, Kent Shallenberger.

Opening the rooms up to the public was part of the deal when voters approved a bond issue for new schools.   Still, Shallenberger admits he has had concerns about liability issues.

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"If a lot of people come and it becomes overcrowded and it becomes burdensome to monitor that, that's what becomes difficult," said Shallenberger.

But after November he won't have to worry about that any more.  That's when the new law takes effect that will exempt public entities from liability if they open up their shelter to the public.

"I would hope people would at least think about it," said Senator Ron Justice who authored the bill on the Senate side.

"If they see there's a need in the community and they determine through their local rules this gives them some support," said Justice.

Justice says the law won't require anyone to open up a facility, but it should ease the minds of those that choose to. The new law takes effect Nov. 1.