Protections For Companies Making PPE Passed By Oklahoma Senate

The COVID-19 Product Protection Act was approved by the Oklahoma Senate Friday night in the final hours of the legislative session.

If given final approval, the bill would grant businesses protection from civil lawsuits, if they are going out of their way to manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE) for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Companies that do not normally make, for example, masks, face shields, gowns, and other medical equipment would not be liable for any damages if their products were to fail. If someone were to be injured or die due to the equipment failing to protect the user, the company would not be at fault.

The bill only applies to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senators approved the bill 33-11, and it was passed as an emergency, which means it would go into effect immediately if Stitt signs it.

The lead Democrat in the Senate, Kay Floyd of Oklahoma City, was the only person to comment on the bill before the vote. She said it was not what first responders asked for.

“If the equipment worked or didn’t worked. If it had been modified or still been modified. Those questions are still out there, our first responders don’t have an answer. This bill is still a bad bill,” Floyd said.