The Senate returned to session this week, marking the start of the fall legislative session. The House is scheduled to be in non-voting session next week and will be in voting session the week of October 1.
There are several bills that PCCJR is closely monitoring. House Bill 2198 would cap fees on medical records, potentially inviting unlimited records requests to hospitals and health care providers. House Bill 2012 seeks to impose an unneeded anti-trust law in Pennsylvania that will expand liability and promote an increase in lawsuits in the process. Competition in Pennsylvania is adequately protected by the federal anti-trust laws. Both of these pieces of legislation – which PCCJR opposes – have passed the House and are currently awaiting consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
PCCJR will also be monitoring S.B. 1300 for any movement. This legislation would increase the caps on damages in certain cases where the state and its political subdivisions (cities, counties, townships, school districts) are the defendants.
PCCJR is also beginning to prepare for the Supreme Court’s Civil Rules Committee’s review of the recission of the medical malpractice venue rule. This review will take place early in the new year.