Chapter 023 |
2019 -- H 5475 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 06/13/2019 |
A N A C T |
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTIONS -- CONTRIBUTION AMONG JOINT TORTFEASORS |
Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, McEntee, Craven, Millea, and Jackson |
Date Introduced: February 14, 2019 |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
SECTION 1. Chapter 10-6 of the General Laws entitled "Contribution Among Joint |
Tortfeasors" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
10-6-12. Court-approved settlements. |
The following provisions apply solely and exclusively to judicially approved good-faith |
settlements of claims relating to the Feld Entertainment/Ringling Brothers Circus accident on |
May 4, 2014. |
(a) A release by a claimant of one joint tortfeasor, whether before or after judgment, does |
not discharge the other joint tortfeasors unless the release so provides, but such release shall |
reduce the claim against the other joint tortfeasors in the amount of the consideration paid for the |
release. |
(b) A release by a claimant of one joint tortfeasor relieves them from liability to make a |
contribution to another joint tortfeasor. |
(c) For purposes of this section, a good-faith settlement is one that does not exhibit |
collusion, fraud, dishonesty, or other wrongful or tortious conduct intended to prejudice the non- |
settling tortfeasor(s), irrespective of the settling or non-settling tortfeasors' proportionate share of |
liability. |
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall apply to all claims pending |
at the time of passage or asserted thereafter; provided, however, that this act shall not apply to, |
affect or impair releases executed before the passage date. |
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LC001533/SUB A |
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