HC0015 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 32279 LNS 61558 e

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
HC0015

Introduced 5/17/2023, by Rep. Bradley Fritts

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

ILCON Art. IV Sec. 13.5 new

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that the General Assembly may determine by statute the limit of liability for all damages and losses other than economic damages of a provider of medical or health care with respect to treatment, lack of treatment, or other claimed departure from an accepted standard of medical or health care or safety that is or is claimed to be a cause of or that contributes or is claimed to contribute to the disease, injury, or death of a person. Requires a majority vote of all the members elected to each house to pass legislation to limit liability on non-economic damages and requires that the legislation cite this Section. Effective upon being declared adopted.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the State for adoption or rejection at the general election next occurring at least 6 months after the adoption of this resolution a proposition to add Section 13.5 to Article IV of the Illinois Constitution as follows:

ARTICLE IV

THE LEGISLATURE

(ILCON Art. IV Sec. 13.5 new) SECTION 13.5. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES

(a) In this Section, "economic damages" means compensatory damages for any pecuniary loss or damage. The term does not include any loss or damage for past, present, and future physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of companionship and society, disfigurement, or physical impairment.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the General Assembly may determine by statute the limit of liability for all damages and losses other than economic damages of a provider of medical or health care with respect to treatment, lack of treatment, or other claimed departure from an accepted standard of medical or health care or safety that is or is claimed to be a cause of or that contributes or is claimed to contribute to the disease, injury, or death of a person. This subsection (b) applies without regard to whether the claim or cause of action arises under or is derived from common law, a statute, or other law, including any claim or cause of action based or sounding in tort, contract, or any other theory or any combination of theories of liability. The claim or cause of action includes a medical or health care liability claim as defined by the General Assembly.

(c) This Section applies to any law enacted by the General Assembly on or after the effective date of this amendment to the Constitution.

(d) A legislative exercise of authority under subsection (b) of this Section requires a majority vote of all the members elected to each house and must include language citing this Section.

SCHEDULE

This Constitutional Amendment takes effect upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.