Illustrated map of Kentucky

Kentucky lawmakers have passed a bill that will protect a wide variety of business in the state from being held liable for issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Bill 5 protects businesses who were defined as "essential services providers" during the period where the state declared an emergency due to COVID-19, reports the Louisville Courier Journal. However, these protections can be waived if one of those businesses failed to make a good faith effort to comply with regulations imposed by the state's government, or if the businesses committed "gross negligence, or wanton, willful, malicious, or intentional misconduct."

The bill was heavily supported by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, local business and government groups, and Republic Senate President Robert Stivers.

The law is of interest to those involved with the cleaning industry as most states declared those working in those spaces to be essential. Other states have also passed laws similar to that of Kentucky.