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Schools Associations Join Push for Safe Harbor

Published Tuesday Aug 25, 2020

Schools Associations Join Push for Safe Harbor

Post-secondary institutions and associations representing New Hampshire’s K-12 schools, colleges and universities have joined with the Business and Industry Association, New Hampshire’s statewide chamber of commerce, in urging the state’s congressional delegation to support language protecting schools and businesses from being targeted for COVID-19-related liability litigation. 

In a letter sent to New Hampshire’s two US Senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and two members of Congress, Chris Pappas and Ann McLane Kuster, the groups stressed that without some form of legal safe harbor, any entity that is a gathering place for people, including public and private schools, colleges, universities, and small and large businesses alike, will be targets for lawsuits from employees, visitors, students, families of students, and others.

In addition to BIA President Jim Roche, the letter is signed by Debby Scire, Ed.D., President for the NH College & University Council; Barrett M. Christina, Executive Director of the NH School Boards Association; Carl M. Ladd, Executive Director of the NH School Administrators Association; and Dr. Joseph Favazza, President of Saint Anselm College.

“Public and private enterprises are already struggling with massive challenges presented by the pandemic. Despite good faith efforts to comply with state and federal school workplace health guidelines, we are concerned that we may be forced to defend ourselves against misdirected lawsuits,” the letter reads. "That’s why Congress should provide a legal safe harbor that holds bad actors accountable but protects those of us who are acting in good faith during this unprecedented situation. Without it, we’re all vulnerable to costly, time-consuming, and unwarranted liability-related litigation,” the letter reads.

“Up to now this issue has been wrongly characterized as only important to businesses. It’s important that our congressional delegation understand that legal ‘safe harbor’ protections are critical for all public and private enterprises where people gather,” said Jim Roche. “Our hope is that this request from both educators and businesses will resonate with New Hampshire’s elected leaders in Washington, and lead to their support of COVID-19-related liability protections,” adds Roche.

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