Representative Brian S. King proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
WAIVER OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES AMENDMENTS

2     
2023 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Brian S. King

5     
Senate Sponsor: Todd D. Weiler

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill addresses agreements to waive or limit liability for punitive damages.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     prohibits a court from enforcing agreements to waive or limit liability for punitive
14     damages; and
15          ▸     provides that certain financial institutions are exempt from the prohibition described
16     above.
17     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18          None
19     Other Special Clauses:
20          None
21     Utah Code Sections Affected:
22     ENACTS:
23          78B-8-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953
24     

25     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

26          Section 1. Section 78B-8-204 is enacted to read:
27          78B-8-204. Agreements to waive or limit punitive damages unenforceable.
28          (1) As used in this section:
29          (a) "Agreement" means a written, verbal, or implied contract.
30          (b) "Court" means the same as that term is defined in Section 78B-11-102.
31          (c) "Insurance" means the same as that term is defined in Section 31A-1-301.
32          (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a court may not enforce an agreement to
33     waive or limit liability for punitive damages.
34          (3) Subsection (2) does not apply:
35          (a) to an agreement entered into before May 3, 2023;
36          (b) to an agreement entered into to settle or release a claim or cause of action for
37     damages or injury, regardless of whether litigation is pending; or
38          (c) if a party to an agreement is a financial institution or an affiliate of a financial
39     institution under Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 6801, et seq., unless
40     the agreement is for the sale or provision of insurance.