This bill enacts provisions relating to punitive damages.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Punitive damages are financial penalties courts can order beyond regular compensation, meant to punish especially harmful or reckless behavior. This bill would prohibit insurance companies from factoring in the existence or possibility of punitive damages when making underwriting, rating, risk classification, or pricing decisions on policies. It would also limit when an employer, business owner, or supervisor can be held responsible for punitive damages based solely on an employee's or agent's misconduct, requiring a person suing to prove with clear and convincing evidence that the employer itself acted willfully, maliciously, or recklessly, or that it authorized, approved, or was reckless in hiring or keeping that employee — a standard that would also apply to cases involving drunk or drugged driving by an employee. These new rules would take effect May 6, 2026, and would apply only to claims arising on or after that date.
Current version: SB0227S04 (Substitute)
Introduction
Feb 2
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Feb 4
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 23
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 24
House Rules
Feb 24
House Committee
Feb 27
House Floor Vote
Mar 5
Senate Concurrence
Mar 6
Governor Signed
Mar 18
IntroductionFeb 2
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeFeb 4
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 23
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 24
House RulesFeb 24
House CommitteeFeb 27
House Floor VoteMar 5
Senate ConcurrenceMar 6
Governor SignedMar 18
This bill enacts provisions relating to punitive damages.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Punitive damages are financial penalties courts can order beyond regular compensation, meant to punish especially harmful or reckless behavior. This bill would prohibit insurance companies from factoring in the existence or possibility of punitive damages when making underwriting, rating, risk classification, or pricing decisions on policies. It would also limit when an employer, business owner, or supervisor can be held responsible for punitive damages based solely on an employee's or agent's misconduct, requiring a person suing to prove with clear and convincing evidence that the employer itself acted willfully, maliciously, or recklessly, or that it authorized, approved, or was reckless in hiring or keeping that employee — a standard that would also apply to cases involving drunk or drugged driving by an employee. These new rules would take effect May 6, 2026, and would apply only to claims arising on or after that date.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
Senate/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Senate Secretary
Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
Senate Secretary
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Senate Secretary
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM