HOUSE AMENDMENT Bill No. HB 1713
1	CHAMBER ACTION
2	Senate House
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12	Representative Ambler offered the following:
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14	Amendment (with title amendment)
15	Remove line(s) 1168-1188, and insert:
16	Section 30. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 766.203,
17	Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
18	766.203 Presuit investigation of medical negligence claims
19	and defenses by prospective parties.--
20	(2) Prior to issuing notification of intent to initiate
21	medical malpractice litigation pursuant to s. 766.106, the
22	claimant shall conduct an investigation to ascertain that there
23	are reasonable grounds to believe that:
24	(a) Any named defendant in the litigation was negligent in
25	the care or treatment of the claimant; and
26	(b) Such negligence resulted in injury to the claimant.
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28	Corroboration of reasonable grounds to initiate medical
29	negligence litigation shall be provided by the claimant's
30	submission of a verified written medical expert opinion from a
31	medical expert as defined in s. 766.202(5), at the time the
32	notice of intent to initiate litigation is mailed, which
33	statement shall corroborate reasonable grounds to support the
34	claim of medical negligence. This opinion and statement are
35	subject to discovery.
36	(3) Prior to issuing its response to the claimant's notice
37	of intent to initiate litigation, during the time period for
38	response authorized pursuant to s. 766.106, the defendant or the
39	defendant's insurer or self-insurer shall conduct an
40	investigation to ascertain whether there are reasonable grounds
41	to believe that:
42	(a) The defendant was negligent in the care or treatment
43	of the claimant; and
44	(b) Such negligence resulted in injury to the claimant.
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46	Corroboration of lack of reasonable grounds for medical
47	negligence litigation shall be provided with any response
48	rejecting the claim by the defendant's submission of a verified
49	written medical expert opinion from a medical expert as defined
50	in s. 766.202(5), at the time the response rejecting the claim
51	is mailed, which statement shall corroborate reasonable grounds
52	for lack of negligent injury sufficient to support the response
53	denying negligent injury. This opinion and statement are subject
54	to discovery.
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57	================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T =================
58	Remove line(s) 80, and insert:
59	F.S.; providing for discovery of