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LD 1348

An Act To Increase The Limit On Damages Under The Maine Tort Claims Act For Negligence Involving School Field Trips

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Lori Gramlich and 2 co-sponsors

Raises the damages cap under the Maine Tort Claims Act for negligence in school field trips.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
#repealed #tortclaimsact #torts
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Bill Summary · LD 1348

LD 1348 Summary — An Act To Increase The Limit On Damages Under The Maine Tort Claims Act For Negligence Involving School Field Trips

Overview

LD 1348 seeks to raise the cap on damages payable under the Maine Tort Claims Act (MTCA) in cases involving negligence connected to school field trips. The bill appears to be aimed at increasing the potential compensation available to plaintiffs (likely students or their families) for injuries arising from field trips conducted by public schools. The text of the bill is not provided here, so specific details such as the new cap amount, eligibility, and any exemptions are not confirmed in this summary.

Purpose and Intent

  • Increase the maximum damages allowed under MTCA for negligence claims specifically associated with school field trips.
  • Clarify or expand the scope of MTCA coverage in the context of educational activities outside the standard classroom environment.

Key Provisions (What would likely change)

  • The MTCA damages limit would be raised for negligence claims connected to school field trips.
  • The bill would define the scope of applicability to school-sponsored or organized field trips; it may specify types of negligence and possibly exclude certain non-field-trip activities (exact language not provided).
  • Potential changes could address how damages are calculated, caps per claim, and whether multiple claimants can aggregate damages in a single incident (these specifics require the bill text for confirmation).

Note: Specific numerical changes (e.g., new cap amount), definitions, and implementation details are not included in the information provided.

Affected Parties

  • Public school districts and school departments (responsible for organizing and supervising field trips).
  • Students and families who participate in or are affected by field trips.
  • Insurance providers and risk management entities that handle MTCA claims.
  • Municipal or state entities that administer or fund public schooling and field-trip programs.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: March 28, 2025.
  • Referred to the Judiciary Committee under Joint Rule 308.2 on March 28, 2025.
  • Work Session: April 22, 2025.
  • Reported Out: April 25, 2025 (Reported "Onto the Floor" - ONTP, meaning the committee did not recommend passage at that time).
  • Legislative Action: On April 22, 2025, the bill was voted ONTP (not recommended pass).
  • Final Status: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) under Joint Rule 310.3 on April 29, 2025, indicating the bill did not advance toward enactment.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Increasing the damages cap could raise potential liability exposure for school districts and likely influence insurance premiums and risk management practices.
  • Advocates may argue the change improves access to fair compensation for students injured on field trips; opponents may raise concerns about higher costs to districts and taxpayers.
  • The bill’s dead status means there is no immediate path to enactment, but similar proposals could be reintroduced in future sessions.

Notes for Readers

  • This summary reflects the information available from the bill’s record. For precise language, definitions, and numerical figures, the bill text would be required.
  • As of now, LD 1348 is not enacted and has no effect on current law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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