An Act relative to protecting innocent sellers

This bill, SD 404, creates new rules to limit liability for nonmanufacturing sellers (like retailers or distributors) in product injury cases. It requires manufacturers to cover a seller's legal costs and damages if the seller is sued over a product defect, unless the seller intentionally or negligently altered the product. The bill also restricts when a seller can be held liable - claimants must prove specific conditions, such as the seller modifying the product or making false claims about it. Additionally, it presumes sellers are not liable if the product met federal safety standards, unless claimants show the standards were inadequate or the manufacturer hid relevant information.