2020 -- S 2561

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LC004876

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY

     

     Introduced By: Senator Mark P. McKenney

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 9-21-8 and 9-21-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-21 entitled

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"Judgments, Orders, and Decrees" are hereby amended to read as follows:

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     9-21-8. Interest on judgment for money.

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     Every judgment for money shall draw interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) six

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percent (6%) per annum to the time of its discharge.

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     9-21-10. Interest in civil actions.

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     (a) In any civil action in which a verdict is rendered or a decision made for pecuniary

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damages, there shall be added by the clerk of the court to the amount of damages interest at the rate

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of twelve percent (12%) six percent (6%) per annum thereon from the date the cause of action

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accrued, which shall be included in the judgment entered therein. Post-judgment interest shall be

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calculated at the rate of twelve percent (12%) six percent (6%) per annum and accrue on both the

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principal amount of the judgment and the prejudgment interest entered therein. This section shall

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not apply until entry of judgment or to any contractual obligation where interest is already provided.

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     (b) Subsection (a) shall not apply in any action filed on or after January 1, 1987, for

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personal injury or wrongful death filed against a licensed physician, hospital, clinic, health

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maintenance organization, professional service corporation providing health care services, dentist,

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or dental hygienist based on professional negligence. In all such medical malpractice actions in

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which a verdict is rendered or a decision made for pecuniary damages, there shall be added by the

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clerk of the court to the amount of damages interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) six percent

 

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(6%) per annum thereon from the date of written notice of the claim by the claimant or his or her

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representative to the malpractice liability insurer, or to the medical or dental health care provider

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or the filing of the civil action, whichever first occurs.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY

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     This act would reduce the statutory interest on judgments for money in civil actions from

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twelve percent (12%) to six percent (6%).

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004876

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