AR HB2231

Requires claimants or their attorneys to file a written certification statement with any civil action claim against a licensed engineer stating whether expert opinion testimony is necessary to prove the engineer's standard of care or liability.

Mandates that if expert testimony is certified as necessary, claimants must serve a preliminary expert opinion affidavit with initial disclosures, containing the expert's qualifications, factual basis for claims, engineer's alleged violations of standard of care, and how those violations caused damages.

Allows claimants to submit affidavits from multiple experts and permits defendants to motion the court to require expert affidavits if they dispute a certification that expert testimony is not needed.

Requires courts to dismiss claims without prejudice if claimants fail to file and serve required preliminary expert opinion affidavits after certification or court order.

Permits courts to extend compliance timelines upon application with good cause or party stipulation, and allows claimants to supplement claims with additional evidence or expert opinions timely disclosed under civil procedure rules or court order.