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Legislative Updates

PA Governor’s Order Provides Immunity For Health Care Providers

May 8, 2020
By: Jacqueline E. Campbell, Matthew D. Vodzak and Zoe A. Otway

Governor Wolf signed an executive order that provides partial immunity from civil liability to health care workers and facilities engaged in emergency or disaster services related to the COVID-19 disaster emergency. Partners Jacqueline Campbell, Matthew Vodzak and Zoe Otway goes into the specifics of this order. To read, the full article can be accessed through the linked title above.

 

PA Senate Proposes Second Bill on Business Interruption Coverage

May 7, 2020
By: Gregory S. Hirtzel and Matthew D. Vodzak

To address the growing clamor for insurers to pay business interruption claims arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania Senate has introduced two bills. FHMS previously reported on the first bill, SB 1114, which proposes that insurers pay business interruption claims regardless of coverage under their policies. Partners Gregory Hirtzel and Matthew Vodzak address the second bill, SB 1127, which would establish rules for contract interpretation, the application of which could result in coverage for business interruption claims related to COVID-19. The full article can be accessed through the linked title above.

 

PA House’s Legislative Response to COVID-19 Insurance Claims

May 7, 2020
By: Matthew D. Vodzak and Steven K. DiLiberto

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has proposed two bills regarding coverage for business interruption claims related to COVID-19: HB 2372 and HB 2386. Similar to SB 1114, HB 2372 would force insurance companies to retroactively cover business interruption claims due to COVID-19, but it has a few important differences. HB 2386 would establish a program to provide grants to eligible businesses who submitted business interruption claims that were denied. Partner, Matthew Vodzak, and Associate, Steven DiLiberto, from FHMS’s Coverage Department discuss the two proposed bills. The full article can be accessed through the linked title above.

 

PA Senate Bill 1114 Seeks to Extend Insurance Coverage Due to COVID-19

April 17, 2020
By: Allan C. Molotosky, Francis A. Lettieri, Dennis Chow, and Matthew D. Vodzak.

On April 15, 2020, the COVID-19 Insurance Relief Act, Senate Bill 1114 was introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate. SB 1114 is Pennsylvania’s first legislative attempt to respond to property and business interruption claims arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. It would require insurance policies covering property damage, including business interruption insurance, to include “loss or property damage due to COVID-19 and coverage for loss due to a civil authority order related to the declared disaster emergency and exigencies caused by the COVID-19 disease pandemic” as “covered perils.” As of April 17, 2020, the Bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance. To become law, SB 1114 would need to pass both houses of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and be signed by Governor Tom Wolf. Any legislation that may be considered by the Pennsylvania General Assembly is subject to revisions before being passed into law. The full article can be accessed through the linked title above.

 

FHMS continues to monitor legislative responses to COVID-related insurance coverage issues and is willing to advise you on these developments. If you have any questions, please contact FHMSLaw@fhmslaw.com.