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House OKs bill to standardize timing for bad‑faith settlement demands
Summary
House Bill 4 37 passed to require untimed settlement demands to be held open 90 days in certain bad‑faith insurance claims, drawing opposition from members worried it could pressure injured claimants.
House Bill 4 37, which establishes a 90‑day hold for untimed settlement demands in bad‑faith claims, passed the Missouri House over objections that the rule could lengthen negotiations and pressure injured plaintiffs.
The gentleman from Pulaski County, sponsor, said the bill "provides the exact same clarity" as a prior law requiring a written 90‑day hold for timed demands, and that it merely applies the same standard to untimed demands.
A member from Saint Louis County, who spoke in opposition, said the change "is going to be very detrimental to people that have been injured and are seeking to settle their claim," arguing repeated counteroffers could restart the 90‑day period and force injured people to wait while medical bills accumulate.
The sponsor replied the bill does not require a claimant to accept an offer, only to be in communication; he said it would not add a new burden to job seekers or injured plaintiffs. After discussion, the House voted; the clerk tallied the yeas as 96 and the nays as 52 and recorded passage.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 4 37 — third reading and passed. Yea: 96. Nay: 52.
