AKC Government Relations (GR) is tracking legislative proposals at federal and state levels that seek to limit the potential civil legal liability of individuals and businesses, including non-profits, for damages or personal injury that result from actual or alleged exposure to COVID-19.  This type of legislation may be of potential interest to some AKC-affiliated clubs concerned about conducting their events while under a higher-than-normal exposure to liability risks.

It is important to note that should any of these bills be enacted, their limitations may not absolutely limit liability risk exposure because they would (1) not prevent the filing of lawsuits that clubs would have to respond to; and (2) ultimately not apply to any virus exposure claims proven to be the result of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional criminal conduct. 

AKC GR has created a tracking report* that provides details on state legislation it is tracking that seeks to limit COVID-19-related liability.  The report, updated daily, is accessible on AKC GR’s COVID-19 Resources Page at https://cqrcengage.com/akc/covid19.   

For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.  *For informational purposes only.