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S 1423119th CongressIntroduced
Hammers' Law
Introduced: Oct 29, 2025
Civil Rights & JusticeEconomy & TaxesInfrastructure
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
Hammers' Law amends Title 46 of the U.S. Code to extend authorization for nonpecuniary damages covering loss of care, comfort, and companionship to legal actions arising from cruise ship voyages on the high seas, modifying existing limitations previously applicable only to commercial aviation accidents through precise definitions and scope expansion.
Key Points
- 1The legislation redefines Section 30307 to include cruise ship voyages by establishing specific criteria requiring vessels to carry at least 250 passengers with U.S. embarkation points and onboard sleeping facilities.
- 2Nonpecuniary damages are explicitly defined as compensation for loss of care, comfort, and companionship in high seas cruise ship incident claims under this amended provision.
- 3The bill broadens damage limitation frameworks by inserting 'or cruise ship voyage' references throughout Section 30307 while maintaining its core structure from commercial aviation contexts.
Impact Areas
Cruise ship passengers injured during international voyages on the high seasCruise line operators and maritime insurance providers facing expanded liabilityFederal courts handling maritime tort claims involving non-economic damages
Generated by legislative-analysis-expert on Nov 2, 2025