To protect volunteers assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Katrina Volunteer Protection Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. PROTECTION OF VOLUNTEERS.

(a) Qualified Immunity From Suit- Any person or entity (including any Indian Tribe) that, in response to harm caused by Hurricane Katrina of 2005, voluntarily, in good faith, and without a preexisting duty or expectation of compensation, renders aid (including medical treatment and rescue assistance) to any individual, shall not be liable for any injury (including personal injury, property damage or loss, and death) arising out of or resulting from that aid that was not caused by--

(1) willful, wanton, reckless or criminal conduct of that person or entity; or

(2) conduct of that person or entity that constitutes a violation of a Federal or State civil rights law.

(b) Preemption- This Act preempts the laws of a State to the extent such laws are inconsistent with this Act, except that this Act shall not preempt any State law that provides additional protection from liability relating to volunteers.

Passed the House of Representatives September 14, 2005.

Attest:

Clerk.

END