Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 606 into law, ensuring civil immunity to individuals, schools, health care providers, businesses and other entities from lawsuits arising from exposure, transmission or contraction of COVID-19, or any mutation of the virus, as long as they were not showing reckless, intentional or willful misconduct.

“Some of the people that are at the front lines of both our battle to keep us safe and our battle to bring our businesses back, jobs back, are represented by the groups that really have lobbied for this,” DeWine said. “Local governments, schools, business in general, health care providers, all have been involved in asking the Legislature to act.”

House Bill 606 also shields health care providers from liability in tort actions regarding the care and services they provide during this pandemic unless they were acting recklessly or displaying intentional misconduct.

“As we all continue to find ways to navigate through the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the certainty that House Bill 606 will bring to our agriculture community is appreciated,” said Adam Sharp, Ohio Farm Bureau’s executive vice president. “We applaud the governor and the Legislature for coming together to pass this measure to help employers, including those in the agriculture sector, get back to business on a normal scale while protecting the health and safety of their employees and communities.”

In addition to Ohio Farm Bureau, House Bill 606 was supported by several associations, including the AICUO, CCAO, Inter-University Council of Ohio, NFIB, Ohio Association of Community Colleges, Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Ohio Hospital Association, Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Metro Chambers Coalition, Ohio Municipal League, Ohio Restaurant Association, Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Ohio’s Superintendent Association and Ohio Township Association among others.

Photo courtesy DeWine on Facebook

The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
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Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
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Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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