Loading chat...
AL HB161
Bill
Status
2/9/2016
Primary Sponsor
Matt Fridy
Click for details
AI Summary
HB161 Summary
-
Amends Section 12-21-160 and adds Section 12-21-160.1 of the Alabama Code to modify standards for admitting expert testimony in judicial proceedings.
-
Removes the specific reference to "scientific theory, principle, methodology, or procedure" and applies the Daubert Standard to all expert testimony based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge.
-
Requires expert testimony to meet three conditions: (1) based on sufficient facts or data, (2) product of reliable principles and methods, and (3) witness has reliably applied the principles and methods to the case facts.
-
Exempts the Alabama Medical Liability Act of 1987 and 1996 from the new standards and excludes domestic relations, child support, juvenile, and probate cases from coverage.
-
Section 12-21-160 applies to civil cases commenced January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2016, and non-juvenile felony cases with arrests during that period; Section 12-21-160.1 applies prospectively to cases commencing or arrests occurring on or after January 1, 2017.
Legislative Description
Evidence, expert testimony, admissibility, revised, references to requirement that testimony be based on scientific theory, principle, method or procedure deleted, prospective operation, Sec. 12-21-160.1 added; Sec. 12-21-160 am'd.
Civil Procedure
Last Action
Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Judiciary
2/9/2016