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S.B. 79 Enrolled

             1     

HEALTH REFORM - MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
             2      AMENDMENTS
             3      2009 GENERAL SESSION
             4      STATE OF UTAH
             5      Chief Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
             6      House Sponsor: Roger E. Barrus
             7      Cosponsor:John L. Valentine              8     
             9      LONG TITLE
             10      General Description:
             11          This bill amends the standard of proof necessary for a malpractice claim in an
             12      emergency room.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    defines terms;
             16          .    establishes a standard of proof of clear and convincing evidence for malpractice
             17      actions based on emergency care received in an emergency room; and
             18          .    sunsets the clear and convincing standard of proof on July 1, 2013.
             19      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             20          None
             21      Other Special Clauses:
             22          None
             23      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             24      AMENDS:
             25          63I-1-258, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 148 and renumbered and
             26      amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
             27      ENACTS:
             28          58-13-2.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             29     

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             30      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             31          Section 1. Section 58-13-2.5 is enacted to read:
             32          58-13-2.5. Standard of proof for emergency care when immunity does not apply.
             33          (1) A person who is a health care provider as defined in Section 78B-3-403 who
             34      provides emergency care in good faith, but is not immune from suit because of an expectation
             35      of payment, a legal duty to respond, or other reason under Section 58-13-2 , may only be liable
             36      for civil damages if fault, as defined in Section 78B-5-817 , is established by clear and
             37      convincing evidence.
             38          (2) For purposes of Subsection (1), "emergency care" means the treatment of an
             39      emergency medical condition, as defined in Section 31A-22-627 , from the time that the person
             40      presents at the emergency department of a hospital and including any subsequent transfer to
             41      another hospital, until the condition has been stabilized and the patient is either discharged
             42      from the emergency department or admitted to another department of the hospital.
             43          (3) This section does not apply to emergency care provided by a physician if:
             44          (a) the physician has a previously established physician/patient relationship with the
             45      patient outside of the emergency room;
             46          (b) the patient has been seen in the last three months by the physician for the same
             47      condition for which emergency care is sought; and
             48          (c) the physician can access and consult the patient's relevant medical care records
             49      while the physician is making decisions about and providing the emergency care.
             50          (4) (a) Nothing in this section may be construed as:
             51          (i) altering the applicable standard of care for determining fault; or
             52          (ii) applying the standard of proof of clear and convincing evidence to care outside of
             53      emergency care and the mandatory legal duty to treat.
             54          (b) This section applies to emergency care given after June 1, 2009.
             55          (5) This section sunsets in accordance with Section 63I-1-258 .
             56          Section 2. Section 63I-1-258 is amended to read:
             57           63I-1-258. Repeal dates, Title 58.

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             58          (1) Title 58, Chapter 9, Funeral Services Licensing Act, is repealed July 1, 2018.
             59          (2) Title 58, Chapter 13, Health Care Providers Immunity from Liability Act, is
             60      repealed July 1, 2016.
             61          (3) Title 58, Chapter 15, Health Facility Administrator Act, is repealed July 1, 2015.
             62          (4) Title 58, Chapter 20a, Environmental Health Scientist Act, is repealed July 1,
             63      2013.
             64          (5) Title 58, Chapter 40, Recreational Therapy Practice Act, is repealed July 1, 2013.
             65          (6) Title 58, Chapter 41, Speech-language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act, is
             66      repealed July 1, 2009.
             67          (7) Title 58, Chapter 42a, Occupational Therapy Practice Act, is repealed July 1, 2015.
             68          (8) Title 58, Chapter 46a, Hearing Instrument Specialist Licensing Act, is repealed
             69      July 1, 2013.
             70          (9) Title 58, Chapter 47b, Massage Therapy Practice Act, is repealed July 1, 2014.
             71          (10) Title 58, Chapter 49, Dietitian Certification Act, is repealed July 1, 2015.
             72          (11) Title 58, Chapter 72, Acupuncture Licensing Act, is repealed July 1, 2017.
             73          (12) Section 58-13-2.5 is repealed July 1, 2013.

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