Bill > HB447

This bill increases the dollar caps on noneconomic and punitive damages in civil actions across multiple sections of Ohio law and establishes an annual adjustment mechanism based on the consumer price index. Specifically, the bill raises the maximum noneconomic damages from $250,000 to $415,000 per plaintiff (with a maximum of $580,000 per occurrence), and provides that the Department of Taxation will calculate annual adjustments to these caps each January based on changes in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index. The adjustments will apply to various types of civil actions, including tort actions, medical claims, and actions against political subdivisions and state universities. The bill includes detailed provisions for how these adjustments will be calculated, reported, and implemented, ensuring that the damage caps can keep pace with inflation while maintaining a consistent methodology for updates. The annual adjustments will begin one year after the bill's effective date, with the Department of Taxation responsible for calculating, certifying, and reporting the changes to the General Assembly each February.

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https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb447