Volunteer Protection Act Of 1997

What Does Volunteer Protection Act Of 1997 Mean?

The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 is a federal law enacted during the Clinton administration. It provides liability protection to individuals, non-profit organizations, and government agencies for harm caused during volunteer work. This immunity ensures that volunteers are not held financially responsible for damages in the same way they would be if the harm resulted from non-volunteer activities.

Insuranceopedia Explains Volunteer Protection Act Of 1997

To qualify as a volunteer under the Volunteer Protection Act, an individual must not receive more than $500 in compensation for their work during a calendar year. Employees of non-profit organizations or government offices who receive a salary are therefore ineligible for protection under the Act. Consequently, both private and governmental organizations engaged in volunteer activities are advised to obtain liability insurance.

Volunteers remain liable for any physical, mental, or economic harm they cause if the actions leading to the harm are outside the scope of their volunteer duties, reckless, or carried out with ill intent.