Ariz. gov signs bill on medical malpractice suits

PHOENIX - Arizona is making it harder to successfully sue emergency medical providers for alleged malpractice.

Gov. Jan Brewer on Friday signed into law a bill approved by the state Legislature to raise the legal burden of proof required to win legal claims of negligent care.

Republican state Sen. Carolyn Allen, of Scottsdale, has said her bill should help encourage prospective emergency room doctors to decide to practice in Arizona. Lawsuit plaintiffs' attorneys argued that the change would deprive Arizona residents of the chance to recover damages.

Former Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed similar legislation in 2006 and the House narrowly rejected a 2007 version.

The new law takes effect on Sept. 30.

Brewer on Friday also signed bills to:

_ Give new rights to express religious viewpoints to Arizona public school students. The "Students Religious Liberties Act" prohibits schools from discriminating against students or parents on the basis of religious viewpoint or expressions.

Under the bill, prayer and other religious activities are permitted "to the same extent that students may engage in nonreligious activities or expression." It also requires that an administrative process in considering alleged violations prior to a lawsuit being filed.

_ Make it a crime to intentionally submit election petitions in the name of a person who did not sign the petition. That crime also includes tricking somebody to obtain signatures on petitions.

The bill is a response to allegations of petition fraud in recent elections, particularly with petitions to place initiative measures on the general election ballot.

Violations would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. However, a person convicted of hiring others to engage in petition fraud would be guilty of a felony punishable by a presumptive sentence of up to three years in prison.

_ Provide a tuition break at public universities and community colleges for military service members honorably discharged while serving at an installation in Arizona.

The bill deletes the current requirement for 12 months of legal residency that service members must have to get in-state tuition status if they're discharged while assigned to an Arizona base.

A legislative staff memo said it isn't known how much the bill will cost the state because it would depend on how many veterans respond to the new incentive.

_ Repeal the state License Plate Commission, leaving only the state Legislature with authority to create new Arizona special license plates.

That commission had been established in 1992 to determine the colors and designs of regular license plates and to decide whether to authorize special plates, but it became entangled in a lawsuit that successfully challenged its refusal to approve a "Choose Life" plate sought by abortion opponents.

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