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County staff urge board referral on tort‑reform principles tied to AB 218 after insurance, verdict concerns
Summary
Risk manager Marissa Khan told the committee AB 218 expanded filing windows for historic abuse claims, producing large judgments and insurance challenges; the committee voted to move a coalition letter and proposed principles to the full board for consideration.
The committee discussed a coalition request for county support on tort‑reform principles related to Assembly Bill 218, which reopened certain historic child‑abuse claims. The chair introduced the coalition letter and risk manager Marissa Khan outlined the county’s concerns.
"We've had about 9 claims total, which includes about 14 plaintiffs total," Khan said, explaining the county’s experience and how some public entities face evidentiary gaps and insurance‑record problems for decades‑old claims. Khan said coalition principles focus on capping damages, proportionate liability, and adjustments to evidentiary or procedural standards to address cases where records, witnesses, or insurers no longer exist.
Committee members asked how broadly proposed tort reforms might apply and whether reforms were limited to public‑entity suits; staff said the principles under discussion could affect a range of personal‑liability cases and emphasized the importance of reviewing exact trailer‑bill language before adopting a formal county position.
The committee moved to bring the coalition letter and recommendation to the full board as soon as possible; staff placed the item on an upcoming board agenda for further consideration.
