HB 1393 Summary

• Applies punitive damages provisions to all civil actions without a judgment entered, regardless of when the cause of action arose, rather than limiting application to causes of action arising after the effective date

• Establishes punitive damages caps: the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000 for standard cases

• Increases cap to the greater of four times compensatory damages or $2 million when wrongful conduct was motivated solely by unreasonable financial gain and the danger was known to decision-makers

• Removes cap on punitive damages when defendant had specific intent to harm the claimant at time of injury

• Prohibits punitive damages if defendant previously received such an award for the same act or conduct, except courts may allow subsequent awards if prior damages were insufficient, reduced by the amount of earlier awards