The Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Coalition for Legal Reform applauded the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, as Senate Proposed Committee Bill 7030 passed committee. SPB 7030 ensures a physician’s constitutional right to counsel, provides equal access to medical fact witnesses to both parties and revises the qualifications to give testimony on the prevailing professional standard of care. The Coalition for Legal Reform also expressed its disappointment that the Fair Settlement Act was temporarily postponed in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee today and encouraged members of the committee to reexamine this important element of legal reform.
“We thank the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who today supported reforming Florida’s medical liability laws, as this is a commonsense solution to our state’s broken legal system,” said David Hart, executive vice president of the Florida Chamber.
“SPB 7030 would provide fairness and open access for both parties in Florida’s courtrooms,” said Rebecca O’Hara, vice president of government affairs for the Florida Medical Association. “It is essential that we protect our state’s doctors and medical specialists, who, in turn, protect the health of all Florida’s patients, and advance our medical community through new and innovative technologies, medicines, and diagnostics and treatments.”
“While we are thrilled that medical liability reform passed the Senate Judiciary Committee today, it was unfortunate to see the Fair Settlement Act in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee temporarily postponed,” continued Hart. “We hope, that the announcement today of the growing Coalition for Legal Reform aids in persuading our state’s lawmakers to reexamine the Fair Settlement Act. Our partners in the business community understand the positive, combined impact that these legal reform measures would have on our state’s families, consumers and small businesses, and we are hopeful that the legislature will take up the Fair Settlement Act.”
The coalition today also announced its growing list of supporters, who have banded together to revive Florida’s legal climate. These members include the Associated Builders & Contractors of Florida, Inc.; Florida Association of Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors; Floridians for Better Transportation; Florida Chamber of Commerce; Florida Home Builders Association; Florida Justice Reform Institute; Florida Medical Association; Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors Association; Florida Transportation Builders Association and the Institute for Legal Reform.
“Florida’s consumers, businesses and families deserve fairness, justice and consistency within our state’s court systems, and an economy that can grow and compete, both nation-wide and globally, without the burden of a dismal legal system that is ranked 41st worst in the nation. To foster a healthy legal climate, Florida must reform key elements of our state’s legal system.” concluded Hart.
