Kansas COVID-19 immunity law raises questions for employers

With the economy largely reopened but COVID-19 cases continuing to increase, some businesses are concerned about lawsuits from customers and guests who may be exposed to—and subsequently become ill from—the coronavirus while on their premises. In June, the Kansas Legislature addressed the concerns when it passed the COVID-19 Response and Reopening for Business Liability Protection Act, which grants Kansas businesses immunity from COVID-19-related civil claims if they substantially comply with required “public health directives.” Here are three things Kansas employers should know about the Act.

What does the Act do?

The Act grants immunity from liability in a civil suit for a COVID-related claim to any person conducting business in Kansas who substantially complies with required public health directives. The Act broadly defines “person” to include individuals, for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government entities.

One example of a situation that may be covered is when a patron dines in at a restaurant and later tests positive for COVID-19. Even if the patron can show causation by linking her COVID-19 exposure to the restaurant, the Act may shield the business from civil liability if it substantially complied with applicable public health directives.

What are ‘public health directives’?

The Act defines “public health directives” as any federal, state, or local statutes, rules, and regulations regarding COVID-19 that entities or individuals are required by law to follow.