Bill shields businesses from obesity lawsuits

COLUMBUS -- Civil liability immunity would be granted to restaurants, grocers and other food-processing businesses, under a bill that's advancing in the Legislature.
The Ohio House Civil and Commercial Law Committee on Wednesday approved the bill, sponsored by state Rep. Bob Gibbs, a Lakeville Republican.
Backers of the bill say they fear potential lawsuits from those claiming that businesses such as restaurants help cause obesity.
The bill has the support of the Ohio Grocers Association as well as the 2,500-member Ohio Restaurant Association.
The Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers has said it believes that the jury system is capable of determining whether lawsuits have merit. The bill is expected to be taken up by the full House possibly next month, majority House Republicans said.
Another similar bill, sponsored by state Sen. Larry A. Mumper, a Marion Republican, remains pending in the Senate Agriculture Committee that he chairs.