Bill > HB975

This bill modifies Missouri state law regarding asbestos-related legal actions by establishing comprehensive new procedures for filing and handling asbestos damage claims. The bill creates seven new sections of law that apply to asbestos actions filed on or after August 28, 2025, with specific exceptions for firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Key provisions include requiring claimants to provide sworn statements about all potential asbestos trust claims, submit detailed documentation about asbestos exposure, and disclose trust claim materials within thirty days of filing a lawsuit. The legislation mandates that claimants file a detailed sworn information form specifying exposure evidence, including personal history, workplace details, specific products involved, exposure locations, and medical conditions. Defendants are given expanded rights to seek discovery and challenge claims, including the ability to request court-ordered filing of additional trust claims and introduce trust claim materials as evidence. The bill also establishes presumptions about trust claim relevance and allows defendants to seek setoffs or credits for compensation already received from asbestos trusts. Additionally, the law provides mechanisms for courts to reopen judgments if new trust claims are filed after an initial judgment, and allows for dismissal of actions that do not meet the detailed documentation requirements. The overall aim appears to be creating more transparent, comprehensive, and standardized procedures for handling asbestos-related legal claims.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB975&year=2025&code=R