1. Amendments to title 46
“30308. Death of a member of the Armed Forces from an accident on the high seas.
“(a) Definition—In this section, the term “nonpecuniary damages” means damages for loss of care, comfort, or companionship.
“(b) Military service members—In an action under this chapter, if the death of a member of the Armed Forces resulted from an accident occurring on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles from the shore of the United States while the decedent was serving aboard a United States military vessel, the personal representative of the decedent may bring a civil action in admiralty or at law against the person or vessel responsible. The action shall be for the exclusive benefit of the decedent’s spouse, parent, child, dependent relative, or estate. Compensation is recoverable for nonpecuniary and pecuniary damages.
“(c) Jury trial—A claim under this section may be tried with a jury.
“(d) Effective date—The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) shall apply to any death occurring after January 1, 2017.
“(e) Government immunity—Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect any existing laws or doctrines establishing governmental immunity from tort-based claims.”