SB QST @ ARL $ARLB033
ARLB033 Volunteers protected

ZCZC AG33
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 33  ARLB033
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  June 24, 1997
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB033
ARLB033 Volunteers protected

Ham radio volunteers stand to benefit from ''The Volunteer
Protection Act of 1997,'' signed into law June 18 by President
Clinton. The measure aims to provide Federal protection from
''frivolous, arbitrary, or capricious'' lawsuits filed against
individuals affiliated with nonprofit organizations and government
entities and acting in their volunteer capacities. This would
include members of the Amateur Auxiliary and volunteer examiners, as
well as other volunteers.

In general, the new law will exempt a volunteer of a nonprofit
organization or governmental entity from liability for harm caused
by an act or omission of the volunteer on behalf of such
organization or entity if:

The volunteer was acting within the scope of his or her
responsibilities at the time.

The volunteer was properly licensed or otherwise authorized for the
activities or practice in the State in which the harm occurred.

The harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross
negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant
indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.

The harm was not caused by the volunteer operating a motor vehicle,
vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle for which the State requires the
operator or owner to possess an operator's license or maintain
insurance.

The law, known as Public Law 105-19, becomes effective September 16,
1997.
NNNN
/EX