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HB2164 • 2026

Modifies provisions relating to wrongful death actions

Modifies provisions relating to wrongful death actions

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Dolan, David (148)
Last action
2026-04-29
Official status
04/29/2026 - Placed Back on Formal Perfection Calendar (H)
Effective date
2026-08-28

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Modifies provisions relating to wrongful death actions

Modifies provisions relating to wrongful death actions

What This Bill Does

  • Modifies provisions relating to wrongful death actions

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-29 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Placed Back on Formal Perfection Calendar (H)

  2. 2026-04-13 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Placed on the Informal Perfection Calendar (H)

  3. 2026-04-09 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Placed Back on Formal Perfection Calendar (H)

  4. 2026-03-23 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Placed on the Informal Perfection Calendar (H)

  5. 2026-03-11 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Placed Back on Formal Perfection Calendar (H)

  6. 2026-02-24 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Placed on the Informal Perfection Calendar (H)

  7. 2026-02-17 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Executive Session Completed (H)

  8. 2026-02-17 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Voted Do Pass (H)

  9. 2026-02-17 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

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

  10. 2026-02-11 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

  11. 2026-02-02 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

  12. 2026-01-28 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Executive Session Completed (H)

  13. 2026-01-28 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Voted Do Pass (H)

  14. 2026-01-21 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Public Hearing Completed (H)

  15. 2026-01-08 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read Second Time (H)

  16. 2026-01-08 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Referred: Judiciary(H)

  17. 2026-01-07 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Read First Time (H)

  18. 2025-12-04 Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate

    Prefiled (H)

Official Summary Text

Modifies provisions relating to wrongful death actions

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 2164
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENT A TIVE DOLAN.
4482H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o repeal section 537.080, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to
wrongful death actions.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 537.080, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu
2 thereof, to be known as section 537.080, to read as follows:
537.080. 1. Whenever the death of a person results from any act, conduct,
2 occurrence, transaction, or circumstance which, if death had not ensued, would have entitled
3 such person to recover damages in respect thereof, the person or party who, or the corporation
4 which, would have been liable if death had not ensued shall be liable in an action for
5 damages, notwithstanding the death of the person injured, which damages may be sued for:
6 (1) By the spouse or children or the surviving lineal descendants of any deceased
7 children, natural or adopted, legitimate or illegitimate, or by the father or mother of the
8 deceased, natural or adoptive;
9 (2) If there be no persons in class (1) entitled to bring the action, then by the brother
10 or sister of the deceased, or their descendants, who can establish his or her right to those
11 damages set out in section 537.090 because of the death . The pr ovisions of this subdivision
12 shall apply regard less of whether the father or mother of the deceased had his or her
13 par ental rights terminated ;
14 (3) If there be no persons in class (1) or (2) entitled to bring the action, then by a
15 plaintif f ad litem. Such plaintif f ad litem shall be appointed by the court having jurisdiction
16 over the action for damages provided in this section upon application of some person entitled
17 to share in the proceeds of such action. Such plaintif f ad litem shall be some suitable person
EXPLANA TION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law . Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.
18 competent to prosecute such action and whose appointment is requested on behalf of those
19 persons entitled to share in the proceeds of such action. Such court may , in its discretion,
20 require that such plaintif f ad litem give bond for the faithful performance of his duties.
21 2. Only one action may be brought under this section against any one defendant for
22 the death of any one person.
✔
HB 2164 2