Bill > HB768

This bill modifies Montana's existing law regarding civil liability for equine (horse-related) activities by establishing new requirements for liability waivers and clarifying when equine activity sponsors or professionals can be held legally responsible for participant injuries. The bill expands existing protections for equine activity providers by requiring that waivers explicitly state known inherent risks and include a specific bold-type warning statement that informs participants they may be waiving their right to a jury trial and legal recourse for injuries. Importantly, the bill allows these waivers to be legally challenged on other grounds, ensuring some flexibility in potential legal proceedings. The law continues to protect equine activity sponsors from liability in most circumstances, with specific exceptions such as cases involving willful misconduct, intentional injury, equipment failure due to negligent maintenance, or failure to assess a participant's ability to safely engage in an equine activity. The bill aims to provide clearer guidelines for both participants and providers in equine-related activities, balancing participant awareness of risks with provider protections against potentially frivolous lawsuits.

Business and Industry

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2449