Senate Bill 1185: Restrict epidemic-related lawsuits against medical service providers: Passed 21 to 13 in the Senate

To establish in law that, “a health care provider or facility that provides health care services in support of this state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic is not liable for an injury (or) death sustained by reason of those services, regardless of how, under what circumstances, or by what cause those injuries are sustained, unless it is established that the provision of the services constituted willful misconduct, gross negligence, intentional and willful criminal misconduct, or intentional infliction of harm by the health care provider or health care facility.” This liability exemption would apply only after March 9, 2020 and before July 15, 2020.

Senate Bill 910: Coronavirus epidemic response bills – minor's work permits: Passed 34 to 0 in the Senate

To authorize coronavirus epidemic-related remote application procedures in a law that restricts the hours and types of jobs that a minor may work, and that mandates minors get a “work permit” signed by school officials for many types of job.

House Bill 5897: Preempt local fireworks bans on Juneteenth: Passed 91 to 13 in the House

To revise the state law on consumer fireworks to preempt local governments from banning fireworks on the day before and day of “Juneteenth” (June 18 and 19). This celebration commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought news to slaves in Texas that that the Civil War had ended, and that under Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation they had been free since Jan. 1, 1863.

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