Liability Bill in Montana Would Limit Virus Litigation January 12, 2021 A Montana Senate committee is considering a bill that would provide liability protection for businesses and health care providers against lawsuits related to the pandemic. The Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee held a hearing Friday on the bill, which Gov. Greg Gianforte has identified as a requirement in order to lift a statewide mask mandate put in place last summer by his Democratic predecessor Steve Bullock. If the bill is voted into law, Montana would join several other states that have created COVID-19 liability protections since the onset of the pandemic. The bill would protect businesses and health care providers from COVID-19 related lawsuits as long as they follow federal, state and local public health guidance.