Required that prior to filing an action, the plaintiff must file a Notice of Intent to File Suit, and the parties must participate in a court-supervised mediation.  If the matter is not resolved through mediation, the plaintiff may initiate the action within 60 days of the end of mediation or prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations, whichever is later.

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Provided that a physician is not liable for claims arising out of an emergency situation unless the physician was grossly negligent.  Provided that a physician is not liable in a claim arising out of obstetrical care rendered in an emergency situation where there is no previous doctor/patient relationship or where the patient has not received prenatal care, unless the physician was grossly negligent.

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In an action against a professional (such as physicians, medical professionals, architects, CPAs, etc.), increased the standard for admitting expert witness testimony by defining an expert witness as one who: (1) is qualified as to the   acceptable standard of conduct of the professional whose conduct is at issue; (2)   is licensed by an appropriate regulatory agency; (3) is board certified; and (4) has actual professional knowledge based on active practice for at least three to five years, has taught for at least half of his professional time for at least three to five years, or any combination thereof for at least three to five years.  In such actions against a professional, the plaintiff must file an affidavit of an expert witness   which specifies at least one negligent act or omission and the factual bases for each claim, unless the basis of the claim does not require specialized knowledge or experience to evaluate the conduct of the defendant.  Provided that in any other civil action, expert witness is defined as one who has scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge which may assist the trier of fact in understanding         evidence and determining a fact or issue in the case.

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