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| 5 | 5 | | 2025 -- H 5908 |
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| 7 | 7 | | LC002290 |
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| 8 | 8 | | ======== |
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| 9 | 9 | | S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D |
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| 10 | 10 | | IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
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| 11 | 11 | | JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025 |
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| 12 | 12 | | ____________ |
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| 13 | 13 | | |
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| 14 | 14 | | A N A C T |
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| 15 | 15 | | RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- |
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| 16 | 16 | | CAUSES OF ACTION |
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| 17 | 17 | | Introduced By: Representatives Shanley, Potter, and Dawson |
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| 18 | 18 | | Date Introduced: February 28, 2025 |
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| 19 | 19 | | Referred To: House Judiciary |
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| 20 | 20 | | |
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| 21 | 21 | | |
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| 22 | 22 | | It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
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| 23 | 23 | | SECTION 1. Chapter 9-1 of the General Laws entitled "Causes of Action" is hereby 1 |
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| 24 | 24 | | amended by adding thereto the following section: 2 |
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| 25 | 25 | | 9-1-55. Punitive damages in civil actions. 3 |
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| 26 | 26 | | (a) In any civil action including, but not limited to, causes of action brought under ยง 10-7-4 |
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| 27 | 27 | | 1, et seq., the plaintiff may receive an award for punitive damages if evidence is submitted showing 5 |
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| 28 | 28 | | the actions of the defendant constitute willful or wanton conduct or that the defendant acted with 6 |
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| 29 | 29 | | reckless disregard for the health safety and welfare of persons who foreseeably might be harmed 7 |
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| 30 | 30 | | by said reckless, willful or wanton conduct. 8 |
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| 31 | 31 | | (b) For purposes of this section and its application to any civil action, "willful or wanton 9 |
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| 32 | 32 | | conduct" means conduct committed which the actor knew or should have known was dangerous or 10 |
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| 33 | 33 | | was done heedlessly and recklessly and without regard to consequences or the rights and safety of 11 |
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| 34 | 34 | | others. 12 |
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| 35 | 35 | | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 13 |
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| 36 | 36 | | ======== |
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| 37 | 37 | | LC002290 |
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| 38 | 38 | | ======== |
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| 40 | 40 | | |
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| 41 | 41 | | LC002290 - Page 2 of 2 |
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| 42 | 42 | | EXPLANATION |
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| 43 | 43 | | BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL |
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| 44 | 44 | | OF |
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| 45 | 45 | | A N A C T |
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| 46 | 46 | | RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALL Y -- |
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| 47 | 47 | | CAUSES OF ACTION |
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| 48 | 48 | | *** |
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| 49 | 49 | | This act would provide for punitive damages in civil actions where there is willful or 1 |
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| 50 | 50 | | wanton conduct or a reckless disregard for health, safety and welfare. 2 |
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| 51 | 51 | | This act would take effect upon passage. 3 |
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| 52 | 52 | | ======== |
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| 53 | 53 | | LC002290 |
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| 54 | 54 | | ======== |
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