Gov. Bill Lee yesterday issued an executive order extending COVID-19 civil liability protection to health care providers, the Tennessean reports. Lee’s executive order applies to health care providers like hospitals, nursing homes and the health care workers employed there. "This order provides limited liability protection, with respect to the services they render that are not considered gross negligence or willful misconduct," Lee said of the order. He also said state law only allows him to take such action for health care workers and that the legislature must still act to provide protection for other entities. Lee intends to call a special session, but did not say when that will occur.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands will continue holding its July legal clinics over the phone because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local attorneys will offer advice on questions about housing and renters’ rights, bankruptcy, medical bills, debt collection, domestic violence, SNAP benefits and unemployment benefits. Those needing assistance may call 800-238-1443 on one of these dates to speak to an attorney. Please contact Andrae Crismon or Kendra Cheek, 615-780-7131, for more information or to volunteer. The next clinic will take place tomorrow from 4:30 to 6 p.m. CDT.

Applicants to the 2020 bar examination today filed a petition asking the state Supreme Court to waive the bar exam requirement and grant diploma privilege for those currently registered for the July 2020, September 2020 and February 2021 exams. The petition argues that the COVID-19 pandemic has “created exceptional circumstances in Tennessee which warrants emergency diploma privilege,” and includes impact statements from applicants on hardships they’ve experienced because of the pandemic, such as financial stress and housing uncertainty, increased child care and familial responsibilities and lack of appropriate study space. The petition also argues that exam administration is “uncertain, unsafe, and disparately impacts applicants.” Read the petition in its entirety here.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris today issued an executive order for an embargo on any new prisoners coming to the Shelby County Corrections Center and three other local prisons from any prison or detention facility outside the county, the Daily Memphian reports. The order takes effect immediately to try and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but it does not apply to the Shelby County Jail or to admissions required by state or federal law. The order comes after 820 inmates and staff members at county facilities were tested for the virus, with six inmates and 13 staffers testing positive. Harris said his administration will take “an aggressive approach to protecting the inmates in our care.” Meanwhile, WPLN reports an additional 135 inmates at the Davidson County Correctional Development Center have tested positive for the virus after it was reported last week that 48 inmates and four staffers were positive. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office says all inmates who tested positive are asymptomatic.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee today signed Executive Order 50 to extend the current state of emergency related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to Aug. 29. The order continues the suspension of various laws and regulations to facilitate the treatment and containment of the virus, and encourages Tennesseans to limit activities, wear facial masks, work remotely when possible, and limit social gathering of 50 or more people, with some exceptions for churches, weddings and funerals. The governor also signed Executive Orders 51 and 52, which extend provisions that allow for electronic government meetings (subject to transparency safeguards) and remote notarization and witnessing of documents to Aug. 29. Read more from the Tennessean.

As COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Chattanooga, Mayor Andy Berke is asking the state for the authority to mandate masks in public. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that Berke is investigating whether he has the authority to mandate masks, noting that many of the cities that have implemented mask ordinances have powers the city of Chattanooga does not. "We've been looking into whether we have the authority to do so," Berke said. "We're a city government, we don't have a health department, our powers are further limited by executive order of the governor."

The Nashville Board of Health voted unanimously today to mandate face masks in public. The policy will go into effect Sunday at 5 p.m. CDT, the Tennessean reports. The vote directs the metro health director to sign an emergency declaration and finalize  details over the weekend on how the mandate will be enforced. State officials reported the highest-ever count of new infections in Tennessee with 1,410 new cases Friday. The city joins Memphis in mandating mask use. Gov. Bill Lee has said he does not intend to issue a statewide mask mandate.

In response to the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court of Appeals of Maryland has determined that the state cannot safely administer an in-person Uniform Bar Examination in September. In response, the court has authorized the Maryland State Board of Law Examiners to administer an online, remotely proctored Maryland Bar Exam using questions prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The court also authorized refunds for anyone who signed up for the exam desiring to receive a Uniform Bar Examination score. Above the Law reports that Maryland officials are in conversations with D.C. officials about a limited reciprocity agreement recognizing each other’s scores since there is so much cross-over between the two jurisdictions.

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, Tousley Brain Stephens and Barrett Johnston Martin & Garrison have filed a federal class action against Holland America Line and its parent company Carnival Corporation. The action is being taken on behalf of passengers on the MS Zaandam Cruise Ship. The suit alleges they were negligently exposed to COVID-19. “Despite knowing of the risk and dangers of COVID-19 exposure on its ships, Holland America and Carnival put no meaningful screening or preventative measures in place on the cruises prior to departure and negligently continued to encourage guests to gather and mingle even as the virus spread through the passengers and crew,” said Lieff Cabraser partner Kenny Byrd.

Atlanta-based public defender organization Gideon’s Promise will host a virtual event titled “Public Defenders on the Frontlines” on Thursday at 5 p.m. CDT  or 6 p.m. EDT. Four public defenders from Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas and New York will speak on organizing rallies, COVID-19-related challenges they face while being on the frontlines of the pandemic and bridging the gap between the criminal justice system and communities around the nation. Register online or email advancement@gideonspromise.org for more information.