S.B. 241 Summary

• Prohibits public establishments from denying shelter to persons during emergency alerts (such as incoming missile warnings) when establishments are open during normal business hours, with exemptions for pets and health care facilities.

• Requires the State to financially compensate owners of public establishments for documented property damage caused by persons sheltering there during an emergency alert.

• Exempts public establishments and their agents and employees from civil liability for deaths, injuries, or property damage resulting from providing emergency shelter, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or recklessness.

• Clarifies that property owners providing emergency access to land, shelter, or subsistence during a disaster retain liability protection even if they receive remuneration for other services or incidental commodities, except where they increase prices on those commodities during the disaster.

• Establishes the Department of the Attorney General to investigate complaints of public establishments denying emergency shelter in violation of the law.