72nd Legislative Session -- 1997

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Monday, February 3, 1997

                                            P - Present
                                            E - Excused
                                            A - Absent

Roll Call
P      Albers
P      Halverson
P      Kloucek
P      Lawler
P      Olson
P      Brown (Arnold), Vice-Chair
P      Dunn (Jim), Chair


OTHERS PRESENT: See Original Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Senator Jim Dunn


MOTION:      TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF meeting of January 29, 1997

Moved by:      Senator Brown (Arnold)
Second by:      Senator Lawler
Action:      Prevailed by voice vote.

          SB 79:   to repeal the licensure requirement to sell certain poisons.

Proponents:      Galen Jordre, Dept Commerce, Board of Pharmacy

          Senator Dunn deferred SB 79 until the meeting on February 5, 1997.


          SB 213:   to make certain legislative findings concerning the case of Knowles vs. United States and to clarify its application to certain practitioners of the healing arts and their employers.

Proponents:      Senator Olson, Prime Sponsor
          Dave Gerdes, General Counsel for SD State Medical Association
          Frank Drew, President, Association of Health Care Organizations
          Rebekah Cradduck, SD Academy of Physician Assistants
          Trudy Feigum,Executive Director,SD Dental Association


Opponents:      Jim Hood, SD Chiropractic Association
          Ron Schmidt, SD Optometric Society

MOTION:      AMEND SB 213

    Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:
q-213b
     "      Section  1.  That § 21-3-11 be amended to read as follows:

    21-3-11. In any action for damages for personal injury or death alleging malpractice against any physician, chiropractor, dentist, hospital, registered nurse, certified registered nurse anesthetist, licensed practical nurse or other practitioner of the healing arts under the laws of this state, whether taken through the court system or by binding arbitration, the total damages which may be awarded may not exceed the sum of one million dollars Practitioner means any physician, chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, hospital, rural primary care hospital, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and physician's assistant .

     In any action for damages for personal injury or death alleging malpractice against any practitioner, whether taken through the court system or by binding arbitration, the total general damages which may be awarded may not exceed the sum of five hundred thousand dollars. There is no limit on the amount of special damages which may be awarded. The limit of five hundred thousand dollars for general damages against a practitioner for malpractice shall include the practitioner's employer, limited liability partnership, or limited liability company or corporation when based on the acts or omissions of the practitioner. This section applies only to causes of action arising from injuries or death occurring after July 1, 1976. "



Moved by:      Senator Lawler
Second by:      Senator Kloucek
Action:      No Action

MOTION:      SUBSTITUTE MOTION DO PASS SB 213

Moved by:      Senator Halverson
Second by:      Senator Olson
Action:      Withdrawn

MOTION:      SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO AMEND SB 213

q-213a
     On page 2 , line 12 , delete " 1989 " and insert " 1978 " .


Moved by:      Senator Halverson
Second by:      Senator Olson
Action:      Prevailed by voice vote.

MOTION:      DO PASS SB 213 AS AMENDED

Moved by:      Senator Halverson
Second by:      Senator Olson
Action:      Failed by roll call vote.   (3-4-0-0)

Voting yes:      Halverson, Olson, Dunn (Jim)

Voting no:      Albers, Kloucek, Lawler, Brown (Arnold)

MOTION:      AMEND SB 213

    Delete everthing after the enacting clause and insert:

q-213b
     "      Section  2.  That § 21-3-11 be amended to read as follows:

     21-3-11.   In any action for damages for personal injury or death alleging malpractice against any physician, chiropractor, dentist, hospital, registered nurse, certified registered nurse anesthetist, licensed practical nurse or other practitioner of the healing arts under the laws of this state, whether taken through the court system or by binding arbitration, the total damages which may be awarded may not exceed the sum of one million dollars Practitioner means any physician, chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, hospital, rural primary care hospital, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and physician's assistant .

     In any action for damages for personal injury or death alleging malpractice against any practitioner, whether taken through the court system or by binding arbitration, the total general damages which may be awarded may not exceed the sum of five hundred thousand dollars. There is no limit on the amount of special damages which may be awarded. The limit of five hundred thousand dollars for general damages against a practitioner for malpractice shall include the practitioner's employer, limited liability partnership, or limited liability company or corporation when based on the acts or omissions of the practitioner. This section applies only to causes of action arising from injuries or death occurring after July 1, 1976. "



Moved by:      Senator Kloucek
Second by:      Senator Lawler
Action:      Prevailed by roll call(5-2-0-0)

Voting yes:    Albers,Kloucek,Lawler,Olson,Brown(Arnold)

Voting no:    Halverson,Dunn(Jim)

MOTION:      DO PASS SB 213 AS AMENDED

Moved by:      Senator Kloucek
Second by:      Senator Lawler
Action:      Was not acted on.

MOTION:      SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO TABLE SB 213

Moved by:      Senator Halverson
Second by:      Senator Olson
Action:      Failed by roll call vote.   (3-4-0-0)

Voting yes:      Halverson, Olson, Dunn (Jim)

Voting no:      Albers, Kloucek, Lawler, Brown (Arnold)

MOTION:      SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO defer SB213 to Monday, February 10.

Moved by:      Senator Olson
Second by:      Senator Halverson
Action:      Prevailed by voice vote.

          HB 1027:   to transfer licensure of adult foster care homes from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Health and to revise the definition of an assisted living center.

Proponents:      Kevin Forsch, Department of Health

MOTION:      DO PASS HB 1027

Moved by:      Senator Halverson
Second by:      Senator Olson
Action:      Prevailed by roll call vote.   (6-0-1-0)

Voting yes:      Halverson, Kloucek, Lawler, Olson, Brown (Arnold), Dunn (Jim)

Excused:      Albers

MOTION:      PLACE HB 1027 ON CONSENT

Moved by:      Senator Olson
Second by:      Senator Halverson
Action:      Prevailed by voice vote.

MOTION:      SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO DO PASS HB 1027

Moved by:      Senator Halverson
Second by:      Senator Olson
Action:      Failed by voice vote.

MOTION:      ADJOURN

Moved by:      Senator Olson
Second by:      Senator Halverson
Action:      Prevailed by voice vote.


Doris J. Donner                        _________________________________
Committee Secretary

Jim B. Dunn, Chair


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