Capitol Research Services of Texas > Reports
Legislative History of H.B. 4, Med-Mal & Tort Reform Act of 2003 (4th Edition)
Abstract
H.B. 4 (2003) was a comprehensive overhaul of tort law beginning with its cap on non-economic damages for medical malpractice cases. The hearings and the floor debates on this bill were very extensive.
Our report on the legislative history of House Bill 4 begins with an abstract that recaps the important legislative points of the bill. The comprehensive background section follows the bill through the entire legislative process and includes the filing of the bill, the House and Senate committee hearings, committee amendments, bill analyses, the extensive floor debates (the House debated H.B. 4 for almost two weeks), floor amendments, and conference committee action. The Exhibits include transcripts from the committee hearings and floor debates and all legislative documents relevant to H.B. 4: all versions of the bill, the bill analyses, and the House and Senate Journals.
As described by the Senate Research Center, House Bill 4 "is the comprehensive tort reform bill addressing many issues affecting the civil court system. The authors' stated intent is to bring more balance to the Texas civil justice system, reduce litigation costs, and address the role of litigation in society. [House Bill 4] contains elements addressing: class action lawsuits, offers of settlement, venue and forum non conveniens, proportionate responsibility, products liability, prejudgement and postjudgement interest, appeal bonds, seat belts and child safety seats, medical malpractice, charitable volunteer immunity and liability, admissibility of evidence regarding nursing homes, and liability relating to asbestos claims."
The Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform Act of 2003 went into effect on September 1, 2003.