State Representative Bob Cupp (R-Lima) announces the final passage of two bills he sponsored.  House Bill 7 clarifies areas of medical malpractice litigation, and House Bill 595 updates provisions of Ohio’s probate and trust law.

House Bill 7 addresses a variety of issues in medical malpractice law to both clarify existing law and to add new provisions relating to liability standards for emergency care provided in the event of a mass disaster and the hospital discharge of patients with potentially serious mental health issues. Additionally, the bill encourages more prompt communications between patients, their families and the medical care provider in the event of an unexpected adverse outcome, and prevents insurers and government agencies from creating legal new malpractice standards.

The probate, estate and trust bill, H. B. 595, updates aspects of estate and trust law and management. Among the provisions, the bill authorizes probate courts to create trusts to hold and manage funds of minor beneficiaries for wrongful death awards up to the age of 25 instead of the current 18 years. It also creates consistency as to whom a county coroner must notify for disposition of both the body and property of a deceased person and authorizes the creation of multi-county probate court guardianship services boards to permit two or more counties to work together to provide guardianship services more effectively and efficiently.

“Though somewhat complex – these are not the type of things families are likely to discuss round the dinner table – these bills will have a positive impact in both the medical arena and in probate and estate matters that affect people. It’s important to have clear and straightforward legal standards to prevent disputes in the first place . . . or to more quickly resolve them if they do arise.  I’m pleased that legislators from both parties overwhelmingly agreed,” Cupp said.