Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act
The Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002, or SAFETY Act, was enacted as Subtitle G of Title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub.L. 107–296 (text) (pdf), 116 Stat. 2135, enacted November 25, 2002).
Other short titles | SAFETY Act |
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Enacted by | the 107th United States Congress |
Effective | November 25, 2002 |
Citations | |
Public law | Pub.L. 107–296 (text) (pdf) |
Statutes at Large | 116 Stat. 2135 |
Codification | |
Titles amended | 6 U.S.C.: Domestic Security |
U.S.C. sections created | 6 U.S.C. §§ 441–444 |
U.S.C. sections amended | |
Legislative history | |
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The Act creates an exclusive federal cause of action for claims against the provider of a "qualified anti-terrorism technology" (QATT) where the QATT was deployed to protect against, in response to, or to recover from an act of terrorism.[1] This cause of action provides limits on recovery that might otherwise be present under a state law cause of action. For instance, punitive damages cannot be recovered.[2] The Act also specifies that QATT providers may invoke a "government contractor defense" in a lawsuit alleging product liability for such technologies following a terrorist attack.[3][4]:255–256 QATT providers are also required to obtain liability insurance,[5] and the extent of liability under the cause of action is limited to the coverage limit of such required liability insurance.[6]
References
- Bergkamp, Lucas; Faure, Michael (2015). "Alternative Systems for Redressing Terrorism-Related Risks". In Bergkamp, Lucas; Faure, Michael; Hinteregger, Monika; Philipsen, Niels (eds.). Civil Liability in Europe for Terrorism-Related Risk (subscription required). Cambridge University Press. pp. 252–282. doi:10.1017/CBO9781316178997.009. ISBN 978-1-107-10044-2 – via Cambridge Books Online.