SCS/SB 705 - This act requires any party asserting a claim against a licensed professional for damages on account of the rendering of, or failure to render, professional services, to file an affidavit by an expert which shall specify certain information including the negligent acts or omissions which form the basis of the claim.

This act also exempts certain types of claims from the affidavit requirements, suspends the provisions of the law if the statute of limitations is about to expire, details what credentials constitute an expert, allows a claim to be dismissed for failure to file the expert affidavit, and defines the terms "licensed professional" and "claim".

The act also provides that any licensed professional as defined in subsection 10 of section 537.800 of this act who refuses to provide all non-privileged documents and materials relevant to the subject matter of the pending action shall forfeit his/her license.
TOM MORTON