Democratic Senator Jeff Irwin is the bill sponsor. He says Michigan is the only state to offer this level of legal protection to pharmaceutical companies.
“And I think we have a moral responsibility to say, no, we are going to stand up for our people and when folks harm them through negligence, there has to be a path of accountability.”
Irwin says the immunity law has also failed in its purpose of encouraging drug companies to locate in Michigan. Support for the repeal was bipartisan – although eight Republicans voted no.
The Senate GOP leader says this bill is a giveaway to trial lawyers.
The bill now goes to the state House.