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H.B. 127

             1     

PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION COVERAGE

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Todd E. Kiser

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Gregory S. Bell

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill allows a presumptive personal representative to present and resolve a claim for
             11      applicable benefits payable under personal injury protection coverage resulting from the
             12      death of an insured.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    allows a presumptive personal representative to present and resolve a claim for
             16      applicable benefits payable under personal injury protection coverage resulting from
             17      the death of an insured.
             18      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             19          None
             20      Other Special Clauses:
             21          None
             22      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             23      AMENDS:
             24          78B-3-106.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 259
             25     
             26      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             27          Section 1. Section 78B-3-106.5 is amended to read:


             28           78B-3-106.5. Claims brought by presumptive personal representative.
             29          (1) "Presumptive personal representative" means:
             30          (a) the spouse of the decedent not alleged to have contributed to the death of the
             31      decedent;
             32          (b) if no spouse exists, the spouse of the decedent is incapacitated, or if the spouse of
             33      the decedent is alleged to have contributed to the death of the decedent, then an adult child of
             34      the decedent not alleged to have contributed to the death of the decedent; or
             35          (c) if the spouse and all children of the decedent are incapacitated, or are alleged to
             36      have contributed to the death of the decedent, then a parent of the decedent.
             37          (2) Forty-five days after the death of a person, including a minor, caused by the
             38      wrongful act or neglect of another, the presumptive personal representative may present and
             39      resolve a claim for policy limits up to $25,000 for liability and uninsured motorist claims, and
             40      $10,000 for underinsured motorist claims, arising out of that death to an insurer and may
             41      execute a release of liability upon presentation of an affidavit, properly notarized, stating that:
             42          (a) the person presenting the affidavit is the presumptive personal representative;
             43          (b) 45 days have elapsed since the death of the decedent;
             44          (c) no application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is
             45      pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction; and
             46          (d) notice of intent to resolve the claim has been sent to the last-known addresses of all
             47      heirs as defined by Section 78B-3-102 or 78B-3-105 .
             48          (3) The presumptive personal representative may also present and resolve a claim for
             49      any applicable benefits payable under personal injury protection coverage, resulting from the
             50      death of an insured.
             51          [(3)] (4) The presumptive personal representative's claim shall be on behalf of all heirs
             52      of the decedent as defined by Section 78B-3-102 or 78B-3-105 . The personal representative
             53      shall have the same duties toward other heirs as those duties provided in Sections 75-3-701
             54      through 75-3-720 .
             55          [(4)] (5) Any insurer and its insured paying a claim arising out of the wrongful death of
             56      a person, including a minor, including but not limited to claims for uninsured or underinsured
             57      motorist coverage as provided in Section 31A-22-305 , to a presumptive personal representative
             58      upon presentation of an affidavit as described in Subsection (2) are discharged and released to


             59      the same extent as if the insurer and its insured dealt with a personal representative of the
             60      decedent. The insurer and its insured are not required to inquire into the truth of any statement
             61      in the affidavit.
             62          [(5)] (6) Nothing in this section affects or prevents, to the limits of insurance protection
             63      only, any claim for first party benefits or a proceeding to establish the liability of a tort feasor
             64      insured under any policy of insurance in addition to the policy under which the claim was
             65      presented and paid under Subsection (2).
             66          [(6)] (7) If any heirs are minors, the presumptive personal representative may not
             67      distribute more than 50% of the proceeds of the settlement until the distribution has been
             68      approved by a court approved settlement in which a conservator is appointed for any minor
             69      heirs.
             70          [(7) (a) During the 2008 interim, the Judiciary Interim Committee shall study the
             71      results of implementing the use of presumptive personal representatives in wrongful death
             72      claims as provided in this section.]
             73          [(b) The Judiciary Interim Committee shall:]
             74          [(i) study the impact of claims brought by presumptive personal representatives
             75      authorized under this section; and]
             76          [(ii) consider any other issues regarding presumptive personal representatives.]




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-12-09 10:57 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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