H.B. 2079 Summary

• Adds a new exception to Hawaii's sovereign immunity law (Section 662-15, HRS) excluding claims arising from acts or omissions that caused or contributed to a person contracting COVID-19 or its variants.

• Applies retroactively to January 1, 2020, meaning the state is protected from liability for COVID-19-related claims dating back to the start of the pandemic.

• Expressly withdraws any previous waivers of sovereign immunity for COVID-19 claims that accrued on or after January 1, 2020.

• Takes effect upon approval of the bill.