In mid-September, the House of Representatives passed a bill to protect volunteers assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina from any liability arising from injury and property damage.
HR 3736 shields volunteers providing aid, medical treatment and rescue assistance. In the aftermath of Katrina, some relief organizations chose not to use aircraft and other assets offered in support of relief missions, saying that the degree of liability was unclear. HR 3736, which has been passed by the House, resolves liability questions concerning volunteers and organizations supporting Katrina relief missions. The bill was awaiting consideration by the U.S. Senate at press time.