Current through the 2024 Budget Session
Section 35-4-114 - Immunity from liability(a) During a public health emergency as defined by W.S. 35-4-115(a)(i) and subject to subsection (d) of this section, any health care provider or other person, including a business entity, who in good faith follows the instructions of a state, city, town or county health officer or who acts in good faith in responding to the public health emergency is immune from any liability arising from complying with those instructions or acting in good faith. This immunity shall apply to health care providers who are retired, who have an inactive license or who are licensed in another state without a valid Wyoming license and while performing as a volunteer during a declared public health emergency as defined by W.S. 35-4-115(a)(i). This immunity shall not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.(b) The licensing boards for any health care provider holding a permit or license as a health care provider regulated under title 33 of the Wyoming statutes shall provide by rule and regulations for the temporary licensure of health care providers during a public health emergency as declared by the governor pursuant to W.S. 35-4-115(a)(i). If necessary during a declared public health emergency, the state health officer may issue temporary practice licenses to health care providers who are retired, who have an inactive license or who are licensed in another state without a valid Wyoming license pending action on an application for issuance of a temporary license by the appropriate licensing board pursuant to this subsection.(c) All temporary health care provider licenses issued by the state health officer under subsection (b) of this section shall terminate automatically upon declaration by the governor, pursuant to W.S. 35-4-115(a)(i), that the public health emergency has ended.(d) Any health care provider, person or entity shall be immune from liability for damages in an action involving a COVID-19 liability claim unless the person seeking damages proves that the health care provider, person or entity took actions that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit any other immunity available under law, including the immunity provided in subsection (a) of this section. As used in this subsection, "COVID-19 liability claim" means as defined by W.S. 1-1-141(a)(iii).(e) Any acts or omissions constituting the basis of a COVID-19 liability claim as defined by W.S. 1-1-141(a)(iii) shall be stated with particularity and shall be proven by clear and convincing evidence.Amended by Laws 2021 , ch. 118, § 2, eff. 4/6/2021.Amended by Laws 2020SP1 , ch. 2, § 1, eff. 5/20/2020.