Bill > SB0335

This bill introduces several significant changes to medical malpractice procedures and regulations in Utah. The bill requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide the Division of Professional Licensing with copies of initial complaints and dispositive decisions in malpractice actions against health care providers. It modifies how economic damages are calculated in such cases, mandating that courts base awards on amounts actually paid to medical providers rather than amounts listed on bills or invoices. The bill also caps the combined economic and noneconomic damages at $1,000,000, with some exceptions. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new requirement for the Division of Professional Licensing to compile and report detailed annual data about malpractice panel reviews, including the number of reviews convened, case outcomes, and settlement information. The bill introduces provisions for attorney fees, allowing health care providers to recover reasonable legal costs in certain circumstances, such as when a prelitigation review panel finds a claim has no merit and the claimant does not substantially prevail. Furthermore, the bill repeals the previous requirement for an affidavit of merit and modifies the prelitigation review panel process, with the overall aim of providing more structured and transparent medical malpractice litigation procedures in Utah.

Health and Social Services

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0335.html