Senate Bill No. 213 amends the Governmental Tort Claims Act by updating definitions and increasing liability limits for various claims. It expands the definition of "political subdivision" to include public libraries and introduces a new category for not-for-profit corporations owned by public trusts. The bill clarifies terms such as "claimant," "employee," and "loss" to align with current legal standards. Notably, it raises the total liability limit for claims against the state and its political subdivisions from $25,000 to $75,000 for any single claim or for claimants with multiple claims arising from a single incident, enhancing financial protection for individuals seeking compensation.

Additionally, the bill establishes new monetary caps for nuisance claims based on county populations, allowing up to $85,000 for counties with populations under 150,000 and $140,000 for those with larger populations. It increases the overall liability limit for the state and larger political subdivisions from $175,000 to $375,000, and raises the cap for state mental health hospitals from $200,000 to $300,000 for medical negligence claims. The bill also introduces provisions for wrongful felony convictions, allowing claims capped at $175,000 for those who have received a pardon or judicial relief based on actual innocence. Other adjustments include raising the liability limit for resident physicians from $100,000 to $150,000 and establishing a $1 million limit for public trust hospitals in smaller counties. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Committee Substitute: 51-152
Floor (Senate): 51-152