H-4456              _______________________________________________

                                          SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2459

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Inslee, Wineberry, Raiter, Belcher, R. Meyers, Moyer, Baugher, Rector, Schmidt, Dorn, Locke, H. Myers, Smith, P. King, Brough, Prentice, Padden, Forner, Jesernig, Tate, Scott, Anderson, Pruitt, Wood, Nealey, Dellwo, May, Ferguson, Rayburn, Kirby, Spanel and Rasmussen)

Read first time 2/2/90.

AN ACT Relating to punitive damages for wrongful death or personal injuries caused while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and adding a new section to chapter 4.24 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 4.24 RCW to read as follows:

          A person who drives a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug and as a result of that condition proximately causes personal injury or wrongful death of a victim or victims is liable for punitive damages in addition to damages otherwise recoverable.  The trier of fact shall impose punitive damages for double the actual damages for which the defendant is responsible, up to five thousand dollars for each person entitled to recovery of damages.  No such punitive damages shall be payable under any liability insurance contract covering the driver.