[19970624]97-490_1997年《志愿者保护法》.pdf

Order Code 97-490Updated June 24, 1997Volunteer Protection Act of 1997-name redacted-Legislative AttorneyAmerican Law DivisionSummaryThe Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (VPA), P.L. 105-19, became law on June 18,1997, when the President signed S. 543, 105th Congress. As passed by the Senate, thisbill was identical to H.R. 911, 105th Congress, as reported by the House Committee onthe Judiciary on May 19, 1997 (H.Rept. 105-101). The VPA, whose effective date isSeptember 16, 1997, immunizes individuals who do volunteer work for nonprofitorganizations or governmental entities from liability for ordinary negligence in thecourse of their volunteer work. It also limits punitive damages and noneconomicdamages against volunteers who are held liable. It does not affect the liability ofnonprofit organizations or governmental entities. The purpose of the VPA is toencourage people to do volunteer work for such nonprofit organizations andgovernmental entities. However, it allows states affirmatively to declare it inapplicableto suits in their state in which all parties to the action are citizens of the state.Background and PreemptionThe common law (i.e., court-made law) of all 50 states allows i