SB 292: Revise caps on noneconomic, punitive, and exemplary damages
The bill aims to increase the dollar caps on noneconomic damages and punitive or exemplary damages in civil actions. The court of common pleas will have limited jurisdiction in awarding punitive or exemplary damages exceeding certain amounts. The court will also have limited jurisdiction in awarding compensatory damages for noneconomic loss exceeding certain amounts. The dollar caps will be adjusted annually based on the consumer price index. The current sections regulating these aspects will be repealed.
| Oct. 15, 2025 | Referred to committee: Judiciary |
| Oct. 14, 2025 | Introduced |
As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session
S. B. No. 292
2025-2026
Senator Blessing
To amend sections 2305.01, 2307.80, 2315.18, 2315.21, 2323.43, 2744.05, and 3345.40 of the Revised Code to increase the dollar caps on noneconomic damages and punitive or exemplary damages in civil actions and to provide a procedure for the Department of Taxation to make annual adjustments of those caps based on the consumer price index.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 2305.01, 2307.80, 2315.18, 2315.21, 2323.43, 2744.05, and 3345.40 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 2305.01.
12Except as otherwise provided by this section or section 2305.03 of the Revised Code, the court of common pleas has original jurisdiction in all civil cases in which the sum or matter in dispute exceeds the exclusive original jurisdiction of county courts and appellate jurisdiction from the decisions of boards of county commissioners. The court of common pleas shall not have jurisdiction, in any tort action to which the amounts apply, to award punitive or exemplary damages that exceed the amounts set forth, or the adjusted amounts provided, in section 2315.21 of the Revised Code. The court of common pleas shall not have jurisdiction in any tort action to which the limits apply to enter judgment on an award of compensatory damages for noneconomic loss in excess of the limits set forth, or the adjusted amounts of the limits provided, in section 2315.18 of the Revised Code.
Section 2.
That existing sections 2305.01, 2307.80, 2315.18, 2315.21, 2323.43, 2744.05, and 3345.40 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.