Bill > S1423

This bill, known as the "Hammers' Law," modifies existing maritime law to provide authorization for nonpecuniary damages (compensation for emotional losses like loss of care, comfort, and companionship) in legal actions arising from cruise ship voyages on the high seas. The bill specifically defines a "cruise ship" as a passenger vessel that can carry at least a certain number of passengers, provides onboard sleeping facilities, embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States, and is not engaged in a coastwise voyage. By amending Section 30307 of Title 46 of the United States Code, the legislation expands the scope of existing legal provisions that previously only addressed commercial aviation accidents to now include cruise ship voyages. This change allows passengers or their families to seek damages for emotional and relational losses resulting from incidents that occur during cruise ship travel, potentially providing greater legal recourse and compensation in maritime personal injury or wrongful death cases.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1423/all-info