Lawsuit Reform Measure Passes State Senate

A bill to provide immunity from lawsuits to charity volunteers easily passed the Oklahoma Senate Tuesday on a 42 to 5 vote. Senate Bill 507 by Sen. Cliff Branan extends liability protections to volunteers who provide transportation services as part of their duties for charitable organizations, so long as the volunteer is not grossly or intentionally negligent.

“Charity volunteers are doing their part to make our state a better place, so we need to do what we can to prevent them from being sued,” stated Branan, R-Oklahoma City. “With the tie in the Senate, we are now able to consider some of these important pieces of legislation. I think voting on bills like this is a positive step forward for our state.”

Branan also agreed to accept a friendly amendment to his bill authored by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, that would provide liability protections to firearms manufacturers.

“I also want to thank Sen. Gumm for offering his amendment to extend much-needed protections to firearms manufacturers, because there is a national effort to use frivolous lawsuits to put these companies out of business. This is a good addition to SB 507,” Branan said. “It is grossly unfair that a company can be sued because someone used their product to commit a crime. The person who committed the crime is the one who should be held accountable—not the manufacturer.”

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for committee consideration.