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• Introduced by Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen, (D-Eatonville) (D) on February 10, 2003, to clarity laws concerning mandatory mediation of health care claims. With this bill, no action based upon a health care provider's professional negligence may be commenced unless the defendant has been given at least 90 days' notice. If the notice is served within 90 days of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, the time for the commencement of the action must be extended 90 days from the service of the notice. This bill would not be applicable with respect to any defendant whose name is unknown to the plaintiff at the time of filing the complaint and who is identified therein by a fictitious name. The bill also requires that the Supreme Court adopt rules to certify to the court the manner of mediation used.
  • Referred to the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee on February 11, 2003, but the bill did not receive a hearing by the cutoff date so it is considered a dead bill (although technically the bill could become active at any time during the 2003-2004 session).