Legislative Article
Dan Bernier
While the legislature is out of session, now is the time where producers are looking at some of the effects of legislation that passed. LD 841 is now Public Law 198. This raised the wrongful death cap from five hundred thousand dollars to seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It should be noted that the wrongful death cap just applies to damages for loss of comfort, society and companionship of the deceased including any damages for emotional distress arising from the same facts as those constituting the underlying claim. What this means is that the wrongful death cap does not apply to damages for lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses, pain and suffering of the decedent. This is yet another reason why producers may need to look at increasing the liability coverage they recommend. LD 369 is now Public Law 156. This is an act authorizing earned employee leave.
The Maine Department of Labor is currently looking to rule making to provide some clarification on this law. There is also a bill carried over which would authorize State Government to get into the business of retirement savings. The State Treasurer is currently convening a group to look at this issue. NAIFA-ME is part of that group and we will keep you posted on that issue as it progresses. As we look to next year, we are also looking at Cyber Security being an issue that will come before the Legislature.
The Maine Department of Labor is currently looking to rule making to provide some clarification on this law. There is also a bill carried over which would authorize State Government to get into the business of retirement savings. The State Treasurer is currently convening a group to look at this issue. NAIFA-ME is part of that group and we will keep you posted on that issue as it progresses. As we look to next year, we are also looking at Cyber Security being an issue that will come before the Legislature.