SF 2220: Relating to noneconomic, punitive, and exemplary damage awards against health care providers and hospitals

What it does

This bill relates to noneconomic, punitive, and exemplary damage awards against health care providers. Under current law, the damages for loss of dependent care due to death of or severe injury to a spouse or parent who is the primary caregiver are considered economic damages. The bill repeals this provision and provides that economic damages do not include loss of dependent care. Current law limits the amount of noneconomic damages that a jury can award a plaintiff to $250,000, but provides an exception for cases where a jury finds that there is a substantial or permanent loss or impairment of a bodily function, substantial disfigurement, loss of pregnancy, or death in which case the limit is increased to $1 million, or $2 million if the action includes a hospital.

Senate subcommittee · named February 6, 2024

• Sen. Jason Schultz (R) · jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Jeff Reichman (R) · jeff.reichman@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Janice Weiner (D) · janice.weiner@legis.iowa.gov

In plain words

1. February 6, 2024Filed in the Senate and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. February 6, 2024Senate subcommittee named: Schultz, Reichman and Weiner