Chabot Introduces The Local Volunteer Organization Protection Act

Press Release

Congressman Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) today introduced H.R. 2290, The Local Volunteer Organization Protection Act. This legislation would amend The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 by providing the same liability protections to volunteer groups/organizations that are already provided to individual volunteers under the law.

Specifically, the legislation would prevent the application of vicarious liability rules to non-profit organizations who conduct their activities using primarily volunteers and who did not expressly authorize an alleged harm-producing activity in anticipation of raising charitable funds. In addition, the proposed amendments would extend governmental immunities to non-profit organizations for actions taken at the request of, or on the authority of, a government entity that would be immune if it undertook the actions itself. The bill would neither create nor require governmental immunities.

"Local non-profit organizations make our society better by fostering democratic values and providing services that might not otherwise be available in our communities," said Chabot. "Consequently, we should protect them from potentially incurring prohibitive legal expenses based on litigation that has little or no connection to their volunteers or employees. Without these protections, too many local non-profit organizations may be forced to file bankruptcy in the face of such pending litigation. Additionally, litigation could also create a chilling effect on the ability of local organizations to mobilize volunteers. This common-sense, bipartisan legislation will help ensure the continued viability of local service organizations, as well as the continued availability of the important services they provide."

The Local Volunteer Organization Protection Act honors the important contribution non-profit organizations make to their communities and their ever-increasing partnership with government entities in responding to those in need. Every day, local non-profit organizations and their volunteers provide wide-ranging services such as health care in underserved communities, disaster relief, educational and nutrition programs for needy children, as well as benefits assistance for Medicare and Medicaid recipients.

H.R. 2290 has the support of the following organizations, representing over 2 million of America's community leaders in all 50 states, each of whom is dedicated to improving the lives of others through volunteer service:

· Lions Clubs International;

· Rotary International;

· Kiwanis International;

· YMCA of the USA;

· Optimist International;

· Sertoma International;

· Soroptimist International of the Americas;

· Zonta International;

· Ruritan National;

· Toastmasters International;

· Y Service Clubs International U.S. Area;

· The National Exchange Club;

· AMBUCS, National;

· Civitan International; and

· Junior Chamber International.

Additionally, Chabot is joined by Reps. Trent Franks (R-Arizona), Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota), Randy Forbes (R-Virginia), Steve King (R-Iowa), Peter Roskam (R-Illinois), Tom Marino (R-Pennsylvania) and John Kline (R-Minnesota) as original cosponsors of H.R. 2290.

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