SC S0244

Eliminates joint and several liability for defendants whose fault is less than 50% of total fault, making each defendant severally liable only for their proportionate share of noneconomic and punitive damages

Establishes new "dram shop" liability standards requiring plaintiffs to prove a licensee "knowingly" sold alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person, with mandatory alcohol server training programs and certification requirements

Increases minimum auto insurance liability limits from $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 to $50,000/$100,000/$50,000, effective two years after the act's approval

Raises caps on government liability from $300,000 per person/$600,000 per occurrence to $500,000 per person/$1 million per occurrence, and from $1.2 million to $2 million for licensed physicians/dentists

Extends the statute of repose for construction defect claims from 8 years to 10 years after substantial completion of improvements to real property