Bill > HB1349

This bill modifies North Dakota's law on liability limits for health care malpractice actions by gradually increasing the cap on noneconomic damages (compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress) from $500,000 to $2.5 million over three years. Specifically, the liability limit will increase to $1 million immediately, then rise to $1.5 million on July 1, 2026, $2 million on July 1, 2027, and $2.5 million on July 1, 2028. The bill maintains the existing provision that juries cannot be informed about these damage limitations and that courts must reduce jury awards to comply with the statutory cap. Notably, the liability limits do not apply to malpractice claims brought on behalf of an unborn fetus. The bill sets an effective date of July 1, 2029, and Section 1 of the bill remains in effect through June 30, 2029, after which different provisions may take effect. This gradual increase in malpractice damage limits represents a significant change to North Dakota's medical liability framework, potentially providing more compensation for patients while still maintaining some restrictions on damage awards.

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https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1349.html