2017 -- H 5719

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LC000854

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE - PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR

ACTIONS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morgan, Chippendale, Price, Quattrocchi, and
Giarrusso

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2017

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 10-6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 10-6 entitled "Contribution

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Among Joint Tortfeasors" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     10-6-2. "Joint tortfeasors" defined.

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     (a) For the purposes of this chapter, the term "joint tortfeasors" means two (2) or more

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persons jointly or severally liable in tort for the same injury to person or property, whether or not

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judgment has been recovered against all or some of them; provided, however, that a master and

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servant or principal and agent shall be considered a single tortfeasor.

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     (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, no party shall be deemed jointly liable

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in tort for an injury to person or property unless it is determined that such person is at least fifty-

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one percent (51%) liable in tort for the injury to person or property.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC000854

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE - PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR

ACTIONS

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     This act would provide that no party would be deemed jointly liable in tort for an injury

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to person or property unless it is determined that such person is at least fifty-one percent (51%)

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liable in tort for the injury.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000854

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