A measure that would protect hospitals, doctors, nursing homes, and other providers from COVID-19-related lawsuits has cleared its first committee in the House.

The Health and Human Services Committee voted 17-3 on February 17 to approve PCB HHS 21-01. Another measure, HB 7, that is designed to protect businesses, is headed to the House floor for the session that convenes March 2.

“These health-care heroes deserve protections from frivolous lawsuits,” said Committee Chair Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland.