Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §304, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. C, §1 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:

§304. Liability of parents or legal guardians for damage by

children

If a minor who is between 7 and 17 years of age willfully or maliciously causes damage to property or injury to a person and the minor would have been liable for the damage or injury if the minor were an adult and the minor lives with that minor's parents or legal guardians, the parents or legal guardians are jointly and severally liable with the minor for that damage or injury in an amount not exceeding $800 $10,000. This section does not relieve the minor from personal liability for that damage or injury.

SUMMARY

Current law imposes liability on a parent or guardian of a minor who intentionally causes damage to a person or property. The monetary liability amount is capped at $800.

This bill increases the cap to $10,000.