Report Title:

Joint Tortfeasors: Effect of Release of claims

 

Description:

Enacts a new joint tortfeasor release statute, including rights of contribution; repeals existing joint tortfeasor release statute and right of contribution statute; enacts good faith settlement law for joint tortfeasors and co-obligors.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

759

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to tort actions.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 663, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§663- Release; joint tortfeasors; co-obligors; good faith settlement. (a) A release, dismissal with or without prejudice, or a covenant not to sue or not to enforce a judgment that is given in good faith under subsection (b) to one or more joint tortfeasors, or to one or more co-obligors who are mutually subject to contribution rights, shall:

(1) Not discharge any other party not released from liability unless its terms so provide;

(2) Reduce the claims against the other party not released in the amount stipulated by the release, dismissal, or covenant, or in the amount of the consideration paid for it, whichever is greater; and

(3) Discharge the party to whom it is given from all liability for any contribution to any other party.

This subsection shall not apply to co-obligors who have expressly agreed in writing to an apportionment of liability for losses or claims among themselves.

(b) For purposes of subsection (a), a party shall petition the court for a hearing on the issue of good faith of a settlement entered into by the plaintiff or other claimant and one or more alleged tortfeasors or co-obligors, serving notice to all other known joint tortfeasors or co-obligors. Upon a showing of good cause, the court may shorten the time for giving the required notice to permit the determination of the issue before the commencement of the trial of the action, or before the verdict or judgment if settlement is made after the trial has commenced.

The petition shall indicate the settling parties and the basis, terms, and settlement amount.

Except for a settlement that includes a confidentiality agreement regarding the case or the terms of the settlement, the notice, petition, and proposed order shall be served by certified mail, return receipt requested. Proof of service shall be filed with the court. Within twenty-five days of the mailing of the notice, petition, and proposed order, a nonsettling party may file an objection to contest the good faith of the settlement. If none of the nonsettling parties files an objection within the twenty-five days, the court may approve the settlement without a hearing. An objection by a nonsettling party shall be served upon all other parties. The party asserting a lack of good faith shall have the burden of proof on that issue.

(b) The court may determine the issue of good faith for purposes of subsection (a) on the basis of affidavits or declarations served with the petition under subsection (a), and any affidavits or declarations filed in response. In the alternative, the court, in its discretion, may receive other evidence at a hearing.

(c) A determination by the court that a settlement was made in good faith shall bar any other joint tortfeasor or co-obligor from any further claims against the settling tortfeasor or co-obligor for equitable comparative contribution, or partial or comparative indemnity, based on comparative negligence or comparative fault.

(d) A party aggrieved by a court determination on the issue of good faith may appeal the determination. The appeal shall be filed within twenty days after service of written notice of the determination, or within any additional time not exceeding twenty days as the court may allow.

(e) The running of any statute of limitations or other time limitations shall be tolled during the period of consideration by the court on the issue of good faith.

(f) This section shall not apply to a release, dismissal with or without prejudice, or a covenant not to sue or not to enforce judgment given to a co-obligor on an alleged contract debt where the contract was made prior to January 1, 2002."

SECTION 2. Section 663-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§663-14 Release; effect on injured person's claim. A release by the injured person of joint tortfeasors or one joint tortfeasor, whether before or after judgment, shall not discharge the other tortfeasors unless the releases or release so provide; but reduces the claim against the other tortfeasors in the amount of the consideration paid for the releases or release, or in any amount or proportion by which the releases or release provide that the total claim shall be reduced, if greater than the consideration paid."]

SECTION 3. Section 663-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["§663-15 Release; effect on right of contribution. A release by the injured person of one joint tortfeasor does not relieve the joint tortfeasor from liability to make contribution to another joint tortfeasor unless the release is given before the right of the other tortfeasors to secure a money judgment for contribution has accrued, and provides for a reduction, to the extent of the pro rata share of the released tortfeasors, of the injured person's damages recoverable against all the other tortfeasors."]

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. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6 . This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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