Attached are the web links to the bills up for debate in the house this week regarding tort reform. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Jordi Yarborough, RSFH Lobbyist, by mail today at jordi.yarborough@ ropersaintfrancis.com or by cell phone (270.6103) Thanks. http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess115_2003- 2004/bills/3744.htm http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess115_2003- 2004/bills/4464.htm I thought the following summary SCHA provided to its members this week would be helpful in understanding exactly where we are. Legislation: H.4464 (W.D. Smith), which enacts the Medical Malpractice and Patient Safety Reform Act, was also reported favorably as amended. Three other amendments were adopted, two by Representative G.M. Smith regarding practices and board member restrictions of the JUA, and one by Representative Coleman which inserts “per person” to limit caps to persons and not to number of occurrences. Both bills are now pending on the House calendar, and are expected to be considered next Wednesday, January 21st. éTort Reformé After several hours of debate, two pieces of tort reform legislation were amended and passed by the House Judiciary Committee this week. H.3744 (Sandifer) enacts the South Carolina Economic Development, Citizens, & Small Business Protection Act. The bill represents a comprehensive package of tort reform issues including venue, frivolous lawsuits, statute of repose, right to cure, post judgment interest, non-economic damage caps, punitive damages cap, and joint and several liability. Included in the comprehensive amendment are provisions that set a non-economic damages cap at $2 million, a punitive damages cap at 9 x actual damages, requires an affidavit upon the initiation of a lawsuit against a licensed professional, sets the statute of repose for real estate at eight years, establishes a right to cure for commercial property, and sets post-judgment interest at prime plus 4%.