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RSMo 537.118effective 28 Aug 1989

Volunteers, limited personal liability, certain organizations and government entities, exceptions

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In plain English

When someone volunteers for a nonprofit group or a government organization without getting paid a salary, that person is generally not personally responsible if someone gets hurt or something gets damaged because of what they did or didn't do while volunteering. This protection only applies if the volunteer was acting in good faith, staying within their role, and did not act in a mean, intentional, or careless way. This rule does not change whether the organization itself is protected or not.

Word-for-word law

537.118. Volunteers, limited , certain organizations and government entities, . — 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean:

(1) "", an which operates under the standards of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended;

(2) "", any other basis for except that used to compensate for expenses actually incurred; and

(3) "Volunteer", an individual performing s for a nonprofit organization or a who is not compensated for his services on a salary or prorated equivalent basis. The term shall not include those covered by section 537.117.

2. Any volunteer of a nonprofit organization or governmental entity shall be for any resulting in damage or injury to any person intended to receive from such volunteer's service if:

(1) The volunteer acted and within the with the organization or entity; and

(2) The damage or injury was not caused by the intentional or or by the of such volunteer.

3. Nothing in this section shall be to create or abolish an in favor of a nonprofit organization or a governmental entity.

4. The of this section shall apply to all after August 28, 1989.

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Source & history notes

(L. 1989 S.B. 208 § 1)

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RSMo 537.118: Volunteers, limited personal liability, certain organizations and government entities, exceptions | KnowMo Laws