Bill > HB1718

This bill modifies provisions related to limits on financial awards for certain lawsuits against public entities in Missouri. It clarifies that when a government entity "purchases" liability insurance, it specifically means the direct acquisition of coverage from an insurance company, not indirectly through other contractual arrangements like requiring additional insured status on someone else's policy. The bill maintains existing caps on liability awards, generally limiting them to $2 million per occurrence and $300,000 per person, with exceptions for workers' compensation claims (governed by Chapter 287 of Missouri law). Importantly, it specifies that the award limit applicable to a claim will be the one in effect on the date the incident causing the claim occurred. Punitive damages are prohibited in these claims. The bill also includes provisions for apportioning awards among multiple claimants if the total exceeds the limits and allows for annual adjustments to these limits based on an economic indicator from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Business and Industry

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1718&year=2026&code=R