COVID-19 liability law offers Missouri businesses protection

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson stopped in North Kansas City Thursday afternoon to sign a COVID-19 liability protection bill into law.

He stopped at Smokin Guns BBQ to sign the bill and try some Kansas City Barbecue.

Smokin Guns BBQ is one of thousands of businesses, churches, schools and health care providers that will be protected from lawsuits regarding the pandemic under the new law.

The new law exempts business owners and health care providers from being sued for spreading COVID-19 — unless it can be proven by clear and convincing evidence. 

Religious organizations will also be shielded from COVID-19 exposure lawsuits unless “intentional misconduct” can be proven. 

In January, Parson made COVID liability protection a top priority for lawmakers. Parson said Wednesday at the signing for Senate Bill 51 that the pandemic was one of the most “dramatic emergencies” to ever hit the state.

The legislation also protects health care providers like nursing homes from malpractice lawsuits.