Bill > HB1718

This bill modifies provisions related to limits on financial awards for certain lawsuits against public entities in Missouri, clarifying that the term "purchase" of liability insurance by political subdivisions refers only to directly buying coverage from an insurance company and not to indirectly obtaining coverage through other contracts, such as requiring additional insured status under another entity's policy. It also clarifies that the applicable award limit for a claim will be the limit in effect on the date of the incident that caused the claim, rather than a later date. These changes are made within the context of existing laws that cap liability for public entities at $2 million per occurrence and $300,000 per person, with exceptions for workers' compensation claims, and prohibit punitive damages.