Immunity from criminal liability for health care providers when providing health treatment and services establishment
SF 971 would grant licensed healthcare providers in Minnesota immunity from criminal liability when providing treatment within their scope of practice, directly affecting doctors, nurses, and other licensed professionals. The bill states providers cannot be held criminally liable for harm arising from their treatment, except in cases of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional harm. It clarifies this immunity does not override existing legal protections or liabilities under other laws. The legislation aims to shield providers from criminal prosecution for standard care, while maintaining accountability for serious misconduct.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Last action Mar 24, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduction
→
1st Engrossment
·
2 edits
·
Feb 24, 2025
MINOR
The bill has progressed from its initial introduction to its first engrossment, indicating it has been reviewed and amended by the legislature. A key substantive change expands the scope of liability protections, explicitly adding 'intentional violation of law' to the list of misconduct that cannot be shielded from liability.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding liability protections was broadened to include intentional violations of law alongside gross negligence and malicious misconduct.
REQUIREMENT
The liability exemption clause was updated to explicitly state that nothing in the section limits liability for intentional violation of law, in addition to gross negligence and willful misconduct.
TECHNICAL
The document status was updated from 'Introduction' to '1st Engrossment' and the posting date was changed from February 21, 2025, to March 25, 2025.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Feb 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health and Human Services
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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