Before a health care professional can provide volunteer services, the sponsoring organization shall register with the Department of Health and Senior Services and pay a $50 fee. A sponsoring organization shall file a quarterly voluntary services report with the department, keep its records of health care provider volunteers up to date, and maintain the records for five years following the service rendered by the health care provider volunteer.

An insurer providing professional liability coverage to a health care provider on or after August 28, 2011, cannot exclude coverage to a health care provider who volunteers his or her health care services if the sponsoring organization and the health care provider comply with the provisions of the act. Any health care provider volunteering his or her services shall not be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission resulting from his or her service unless there was gross negligence or willful misconduct. A volunteer cannot receive any form of direct or indirect compensation, benefits, or consideration for his or her health care services. The volunteer shall perform acts within the scope of his or her professional license and in compliance with all applicable health care regulations. Any volunteer crisis response team member who participates in a crisis intervention shall not be liable in tort for any personal injuries or emotional distress of any participant to the intervention that is caused by the act or omission of the team member during an intervention with certain specified exceptions.

ADRIANE CROUSE