The House of Representatives has 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. The bill, which resolves liability questions concerning volunteers and organizations supporting relief missions, was awaiting consideration by the U.S. Senate at press time.