This bill amends Section 25-9-411 of the Montana Code Annotated to revise the limitation on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases. The current cap of $250,000 for noneconomic damages will be replaced with a new limit of $300,000, effective immediately upon passage. The bill outlines a schedule for annual increases in this limit, which will rise to $350,000 in 2026, $400,000 in 2027, $450,000 in 2028, and $500,000 in 2029. Starting January 1, 2030, the limit will increase by 2% each year, with the court administrator's office responsible for publishing the adjusted limits.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the applicable limit for noneconomic damages will be determined based on the date the claimant first files a claim, whether with the Montana medical legal panel or in court. It also specifies that the limit on damages may not be disclosed to a jury and establishes definitions for key terms such as "claimant," "health care provider," and "noneconomic loss." The bill is designed to apply to both future and existing malpractice claims, ensuring that the revised limits are consistently enforced.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 25-9-411
HB0195_1(1): 25-9-411
HB0195_1(2): 25-9-411
HB0195_1(3): 25-9-411
HB0195_1(4): 25-9-411
HB0195_1(5): 25-9-411
HB0195_1(6): 25-9-411
HB0195_1(7): 25-9-411
HB0195_1: 25-9-411
HB0195_X(1): 25-9-411
HB0195_X(2): 25-9-411
HB0195_X: 25-9-411