Civil practice; affirmative defenses; limitation of liability for damages sustained for obstructing traffic for the obstruction of vehicle traffic, established

HB 411 establishes a new affirmative defense in civil lawsuits for damages related to personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage. This defense applies if the person who sustained the injury or damage was willfully obstructing the free flow of traffic on a public road, highway, or bridge. Obstruction includes actions like impeding traffic, standing in the road, or endangering vehicle movement. The bill allows a court to pause the civil action if there is a pending criminal case related to the same obstruction. This measure does not apply to individuals lawfully working in the roadway, such as emergency responders or contractors.