HB 103 Summary

• Amends the notice requirement for medical claims by requiring certified mail with return receipt to be sent to the defendant's residence, professional practice, employer, or state licensing board address.

• Establishes a 180-day discovery period following the filing of a medical complaint during which plaintiffs may discover the existence or identity of additional potential defendants or medical claims not originally named.

• Allows plaintiffs to join additional defendants within 180 days of filing the original complaint if the statute of limitations for those claims had not expired before the original complaint date.

• Prohibits joining additional defendants after 180 days unless the claim involves wrongful death (with unexpired statute of limitations under section 2125.02) or the additional defendant is discovered through reasonable care and diligence after the 180-day period.

• Requires plaintiffs to file affidavits of merit for each named defendant at the time of filing the complaint or file a motion to extend the filing deadline.