Federal Laws Addressing Liability

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Volunteer Protection Act of 1997

The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997, Pub. L. No. 105-19, provided limited immunity for volunteers acting on behalf of a nonprofit organization. It created a national standard of punitive damages liability for volunteers, and abolished joint liability for noneconomic damages in tort actions involving volunteers. Studies had indicated that before the law's passage, individuals often were reluctant to participate in community service activities due to fear of legal liability.