Senate Bill No. 500, introduced by Senator Connick, amends the existing law regarding the medical review panel for malpractice claims against healthcare providers in Louisiana. The bill allows claimants the option to file their malpractice claims in a court of competent jurisdiction with a certificate of merit or to have the claims reviewed by a medical review panel before initiating judicial proceedings. The certificate of merit must be executed as an affidavit by the claimant, their attorney, or a licensed physician, affirming that there is a reasonable basis for the claim based on expert consultation or review of medical records.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a claimant cannot timely obtain the necessary expert consultation to file a certificate of merit due to time constraints, they may file the certificate within 90 days after all defendants have answered. If the certificate is not filed within this timeframe, the action will be dismissed. The bill also clarifies that a single certificate of merit is sufficient for multiple defendants and retains provisions that ensure the filing of a request for review by a medical review panel is not reportable to various medical and licensing authorities. The proposed changes will take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB500 Original: 40:8(A)(1)