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SB 1351

IMMUNITY ENGINEERS-ARCHITECTS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Don DeWitte

Provides civil immunity to licensed engineers and architects (and supervised helpers) who volunteer uncompensated emergency response services for 30 days after a declared emergency

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Bill Summary · SB 1351

Summary — SB 1351: Immunity for Engineers and Architects (Adds 735 ILCS 5/2‑625)

Note: The source document contains text from several unrelated bills across multiple states. The summary below focuses on the provision titled “Immunity for engineers and architects” (the version that would add 735 ILCS 5/2‑625 to the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure).

Main purpose / intent

To provide limited civil‑liability immunity to licensed engineers and licensed architects (and persons working under their direct supervision) who voluntarily provide uncompensated services during emergency response activities. The intent is to encourage qualified design professionals to assist during declared emergencies without fear of routine civil lawsuits, so long as they act reasonably.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 2‑625 to the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2‑625).
  • Who is covered:
    • Any licensed engineer or licensed architect.
    • Any person working under the direct supervision of the licensed engineer or architect.
  • Covered activities:
    • Services, acts, or omissions provided without compensation in emergency response activities.
    • Activities performed under the direction of or in connection with community emergency response teams (CERT), county emergency management agencies, the State emergency management agency, or FEMA.
  • Standard and limits:
    • Immunity from civil damages applies only if the individual “acts as a reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances.”
    • The immunity applies to acts, services, or omissions provided within 30 days after the declaration of the emergency.
  • Form of relief:
    • Civil immunity (i.e., protection from being held civilly liable) rather than criminal immunity.

Who is affected

  • Positive effects:
    • Licensed engineers and architects who volunteer emergency response services.
    • Organizations and public agencies that receive pro bono professional services during emergencies.
  • Possible indirect effects:
    • Victims or property owners seeking civil remedies may face added hurdles if injuries or damage result from volunteer professional services that met the reasonableness standard.
    • Insurers and public agencies may see changes in risk allocation for post‑disaster recovery work.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Bill text references adding 735 ILCS 5/2‑625.
  • The provided legislative log shows multiple actions in early 2025 (introductions, committee actions, readings). The document also contains entries indicating gubernatorial action in May 2025 with an effective date of September 1, 2025; however the source mixes records from different states. Before relying on enactment status, confirm the bill’s final status and effective date with the official legislative record for the relevant state (the statute citation above indicates the Illinois context).

Practical considerations / implications

  • The immunity is conditional on a “reasonable person” standard — it is not an absolute shield for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or criminal acts (unless the statute elsewhere specifies otherwise).
  • The 30‑day time window limits coverage to the immediate post‑declaration response period; longer recovery or reconstruction work may not be covered.
  • To avoid uncertainty, volunteers and supervising licensees should document supervision, scope of work, and coordination with emergency agencies; agencies may want formal volunteer agreements or policies.

If you want, I can:
- Check and confirm the bill’s final status and effective date for the correct state,
- Draft a short explainer comparing this immunity to existing Good Samaritan or volunteer immunity laws, or
- Produce suggested amendments or questions for legislative staff.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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