The LIABLE Act (HB1432) would bar any federal law from granting COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers immunity from suit or limiting their liability for claims arising from the administration or use of a COVID-19 vaccine. The bill specifically targets existing federal liability protections, including provisions in the Public Health Service Act, and states that manufacturers could be sued for losses allegedly caused by COVID-19 vaccines.
The bill also makes clear that it does not eliminate access to existing compensation systems. Individuals could still seek benefits through the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program or the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and using those programs would not prevent a person from filing a civil lawsuit under the bill. The measure defines COVID-19 vaccine broadly to include vaccines licensed or authorized by the FDA to prevent COVID-19 or reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and it would apply retroactively to vaccine administration or use occurring before, on, or after enactment.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would significantly alter federal vaccine-liability law by overriding statutory protections that currently shield COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers from certain lawsuits and limit available remedies. It would affect the Public Health Service Act and related vaccine injury compensation frameworks by preserving compensation-program access while also opening the door to civil actions against manufacturers for COVID-19 vaccine-related claims, including claims based on past vaccinations.
Sentiment
Based on the bill’s sponsorship and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the available sentiment appears to be strongly supportive among the bill’s sponsors, who frame it as a legal accountability measure for injured individuals. The bill’s title and structure suggest a pro-plaintiff, anti-immunity approach, but no formal opposition or bipartisan support is reflected in the supplied record.
Contention
The main point of contention is the bill’s effort to remove or override federal liability protections for vaccine manufacturers, which could expose them to lawsuits for vaccine-related injuries and potentially affect vaccine policy and availability. Supporters are likely to emphasize legal recourse and compensation for injured individuals, while opponents would likely argue that weakening liability protections could undermine vaccine development, distribution, and public-health emergency response. The bill’s retroactive application and its interaction with existing compensation programs are also likely to be disputed.
Relating to the administration of immunizations to children, including required written informed consent to those immunizations and civil liability for failure to obtain the consent; providing an administrative penalty.