By Dukes H.B. No. 991 76R2804 DAK-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to limiting the liability of certain professionals for 1-3 damages arising from providing pro bono services. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 84, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 84.0045 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 84.0045. LIABILITY OF CERTAIN PROFESSIONALS. (a) This 1-8 section applies only to an individual: 1-9 (1) licensed to practice medicine in this state; or 1-10 (2) licensed to practice law in this state. 1-11 (b) This section applies to services provided by an 1-12 individual without regard to whether the services are provided on 1-13 behalf of a charitable organization. 1-14 (c) Subject to Section 84.007, an individual is immune from 1-15 civil liability for any act or omission resulting in death, damage, 1-16 or injury if: 1-17 (1) the act or omission occurs in the course of the 1-18 individual providing services within the scope of the individual's 1-19 license; 1-20 (2) the services are rendered without expectation of 1-21 remuneration other than reimbursement for expenses incurred; and 1-22 (3) no remuneration other than reimbursement for 1-23 expenses incurred is received by the individual for providing the 1-24 services. 2-1 (d) The immunity provided by this section is in addition to 2-2 any other immunity provided by this chapter. 2-3 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and 2-4 applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after that 2-5 date. An action that accrued before the effective date of this 2-6 Act is governed by the law applicable to the action immediately 2-7 before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in 2-8 effect for that purpose. 2-9 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-10 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-11 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-12 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-13 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.