HOUSE BILL NO. 59
INTRODUCED BY C. HARRIS
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING THAT A STATEMENT, AFFIRMATION, GESTURE, OR CONDUCT EXPRESSING APOLOGY, FAULT, REMORSE, SYMPATHY, COMMISERATION, CONDOLENCE, OR COMPASSION RELATING TO THE PAIN, SUFFERING, OR DEATH OF A PERSON THAT IS MADE TO THE PERSON, A MEMBER OF THE PERSON'S FAMILY, OR A FRIEND OF THE PERSON IS INADMISSIBLE AS EVIDENCE OF AN ADMISSION OF LIABILITY IN A CIVIL ACTION FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE; AND PROVIDING AN APPLICABILITY DATE."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
NEW SECTION. Section 1. Statement of apology, remorse, or sympathy -- not admissible as evidence of admission of liability for medical malpractice. (1) A statement, affirmation, gesture, or conduct expressing apology, fault, remorse, sympathy, commiseration, condolence, or compassion relating to the pain, suffering, or death of a person that is made to the person, a member of the person's family, or a friend of the person is not admissible as evidence of an admission of liability in a civil action for medical malpractice.
(2) As used in this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Apology" means a communication that expresses regret or asks for a pardon for a fault or offense.
(b) "Communication" means a statement, writing, or gesture.
(c) "Family" means the spouse, parent, spouse's parent, grandparent, stepmother, stepfather, child, grandchild, sibling, or half-sibling of an injured party.
NEW SECTION. Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 26, chapter 1, and the provisions of Title 26, chapter 1, apply to [section 1].
NEW SECTION. Section 3. Applicability. [This act] applies to causes of action arising after [the effective date of this act].
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Latest Version of HB 59 (HB0059.01)
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