Bill Text: HI SB1074 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Medical Malpractice Claims; Limitation on Damages; Malpractice Insurance Tax Credit
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB1074 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB1074-Introduced.html
Report Title:
Medical Malpractice Claims; Limitation on Damages; Malpractice Insurance Tax Credit
Description:
Limits damages in medical malpractice claims to $1,000,000 for noneconomic damages and to $3,000,000 for noneconomic damages arising from injuries found to be catastrophic by a court. Provides income tax credit for fifty per cent of the cost of medical malpractice insurance premiums under certain circumstances. Sunset 7/31/2014.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1074 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO MEDICAL MALPRACTICE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Chapter 235, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§235‑ Medical malpractice insurance premium tax credit. (a) There shall be allowed to each qualified taxpayer who is a physician or surgeon licensed under chapter 453 or an osteopathic physician and or surgeon licensed under chapter 460, a medical malpractice insurance premium tax credit that shall be deducted from the taxpayer's net income tax liability, if any, imposed by this chapter for the taxable year in which the medical malpractice insurance premium is paid, in an amount of fifty per cent of the cost of the premium.
(b) The credit allowed under this section shall be claimed against the net income tax liability for the taxable year. For the purpose of this section, "net income tax liability" means net income tax liability reduced by all other credits allowed under this chapter.
(c) Every claim, including amended claims, for a tax credit under this section shall be filed on or before the end of the twelfth month following the close of the taxable year for which the credit may be claimed. Failure to comply with the foregoing provision shall constitute a waiver of the right to claim the credit.
(d) To qualify for a credit under this section, the taxpayer shall:
(1) Practice in a recognized medical specialty that has a shortage in the number of practitioners desirable to meet the demand, as determined by the board of medical examiners or the board of osteopathic examiners, as applicable; or
(2) Have practiced continuously in the State, in any specialty or as a general practitioner or family practitioner, for a period exceeding five years.
(e) The director of taxation may adopt rules under chapter 91 and forms necessary to carry out this section.
(f) This section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008."
SECTION 2. Chapter 671, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§671‑ Limitation on damages. Notwithstanding section 663‑8.7, an award for noneconomic damages as defined in section 663‑8.5 in a claim or action under this chapter for a medical tort shall be limited to a maximum award of $1,000,000. If a court, rather than a jury, makes a specific finding that the injury is catastrophic, the award for noneconomic damages as defined in section 663-8.5 in a claim or action under this chapter for a medical tort shall be limited to a maximum award of $3,000,000.
For purposes of this section, "catastrophic injury" refers to, but is not limited to:
(1) Severe brain or spinal cord injury; or
(2) Permanent paralysis resulting in severe functional disability."
SECTION 3. The appropriate committees of the legislature shall periodically evaluate the effectiveness of this Act, including holding hearings and informational briefings if necessary.
SECTION 4. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on July 31, 2014.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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