HB 437 Missouri House · 2025 Regular Session

Modifies provisions relating to settlement demands

HB 437 sets new rules for settlement demands in personal injury, bodily injury, or wrongful death cases. It requires claimants to submit written settlement offers via certified mail that remain open for at least 90 days and include specific details like injury descriptions, policy limits, release terms, and medical/employment records with proper authorizations. If a demand meets these requirements, it counts as a "reasonable opportunity to settle" in court; otherwise, it cannot be used to challenge an insurer's handling of the claim. The bill applies to claims against liability insurers and aims to standardize settlement processes before litigation.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2024

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Dec 6, 2024 Last action Apr 29, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Perfected · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to update administrative details and clarify settlement demand procedures. The Chief Clerk's name was changed from Dana Rademan Miller to Joseph Engler, and the bill status was updated to 'PERFECTED'. The substantive policy changes involve modifying settlement demand requirements, specifically changing language from 'shall' to 'was' in several instances, which alters how settlement demands are legally processed and what terms must be included in written settlement offers to insurers.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on settlement demand procedures for tort claims, but the language changes affect how these procedures are legally interpreted and enforced.

TECHNICAL

Chief Clerk name updated from Dana Rademan Miller to Joseph Engler in the bill header.

REQUIREMENT

Changed 'shall reference' to 'referenced' and 'shall be sent' to 'was sent' in settlement demand language, altering the mandatory nature of certain procedural requirements.

Changed 'time-limited' to 'contained' in settlement demand provisions, modifying how time restrictions on settlement demands are handled.

Changed 'shall contain' to 'contained' in requirements for additional material terms in settlement demands.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Voted Do Pass (S)

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public Hearing Scheduled (S) - Thursday, April 24, 2025, 8:00 a.m., Senate Committee Room - 1st Floor

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Committee

Second read and referred: General Laws(S)

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 96 NOES: 52 PRESENT: 2

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 6 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 1

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Committee

Referred: Rules - Legislative(H)

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 9 NOES: 1 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Committee

Referred: Commerce(H)

lower

Dec 6, 2024

Introduced

Prefiled (H)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor