We expect the house of representatives to pass SB 507 either today or early next week sending this very bad piece of legislation to the senate where as you know will be a very hard fight to keep this from being passed.

SB 507 is being yielded as a comprehensive tort reform bill but should be entitled a comprehensive immunity bill.  There are some really bad sections to the bill which I will highlight below.  Also, we have compiled a list of resources and completed a series of white papers which are on our website at: http://www.okccps.org/okccps.site/civiljusticeresources.htm

·         Hard caps on non-economic damages (which would discriminate against elderly, women, and children)  SEE WHITE PAPER found at above listed link

·         Provides for an 8 year statute of repose (FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE WHITE PAPER found at above listed link)

·         Eliminates the collateral source rule (FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE WHITE PAPER found at above listed link)

·         Abolishes Joint and Several Liability (FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE WHITE PAPER found at above listed link)

·         Allows for periodic payments on damages (allowing the one who caused harm to pay out their judgment to the injured party)

We will be monitoring this bill and once it has passed the house, we will need your help in activating your group, e-mail lists, etc. to write their senator and encourage them to vote against this anti-consumer and anti-patient legislation.  We will also be providing a link to an action alert that will make it easy for your group to click on and send a message to their senator to share their thoughts.

Should you have any questions about this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Hugh M. Robert

Executive Director

OK Center for Consumer and Patient Safety

6539 East 31st Street, Suite 11

Tulsa, OK 74145

office: 800-994-6025

facsimile 918-512-4208

hugh@okccps.org

www.okccps.org