The Wisconsin Department of Justice has launched a new website which provides information and assistance for nurses and other medical professionals practicing medical forensics and responding to sexual assault cases. The website provides information, training, and technical assistance for medical professionals to learn how to collect evidence. Said Attorney General Van Hollen, “It’s incredibly important […]
State Senate Passes Two Civil Liability Reform Bills – Governor Expected to Sign
Date Thu, Apr. 3, 2014 - 3:33pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate passed two civil liability reform bills on the last day of session. Most notable was AB 120, the health care provider “Apology” bill. This is legislation that the health care community has worked on for many years. AB 120/SB 129 – (Inadmissibility of a statement of apology or condolence by a health […]
Wisconsin Appeals Court Upholds Wind Siting Rules
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 10:23am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin 3rd District of Appeals upheld Wisconsin’s wind siting standards on March 22nd. This means that the PSC will not have to produce a report on how wind turbines affect property values while imposing the siting standards. The Wisconsin Realtors Association, Wisconsin Builders Association, and Wisconsin Towns Association along with a few individuals, brought […]
Governor Walker Signs Trust Fund Transparency Bill
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 10:19am By Hamilton
Gov. Walker signed AB 19, asbestos trust fund transparency, into law as Act 154 on March 27. The new law allows greater transparency by: Requiring asbestos plaintiffs to disclose any and all claims that they have filed or will file with asbestos trust funds, along with all of the documents and information that support the […]
Governor Walker Signs 29 Bills into Law
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 10:12am By Hamilton
With the Assembly and Senate finishing off their two year session and March drawing to a close, Governor Walker signed a slew of bills into law, with one partial veto and one full veto. The following is a partial list of those bills signed: Assembly Bill 770 – creates an emergency heating assistance loan guarantee […]
The Federalist Society 2013 Civil Justice White Paper
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 9:55am By Hamilton
In a recent Federalist Society White Paper, WCJC Legislative Director Andrew Cook provides a comprehensive national survey of recent court decisions on challenges to existing civil justice laws and newly enacted civil justice legislation. The first portion of the paper describes state and federal cases related to different civil liability issues and the second half […]
Senate Passes Limit on Liability for Parents of Minor Drivers
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 6:28pm By Hamilton
On Wednesday, March 12, the Wisconsin Senate passed SB 592 (Sen. Grothman/Rep. Jim Ott) that would place a $300,000 limit on liability for parents of minor drivers. Wisconsin is currently one of roughly 12 states that imposes unlimited liability on parents of drivers ages 16 to 18. Unexpectedly, Rep. Jim Ott, the Assembly Judiciary Chairperson […]
Patent Troll Legislation Passes Assembly; Not All Businesses Support the Legislation
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 4:57pm By Hamilton
Despite last minute efforts to exempt manufacturers, the Assembly on Thursday, March 20, passed SB 498. The bill addresses so-called “patent trolls,” which are individuals or companies that attempt to enforce patent rights against accused infringers in order to collect licensing fees, but does not manufacture products or supply services based upon the patents in question. The […]
Training for Law Enforcement Changes in Domestic Abuse Cases
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 3:53pm By Hamilton
A new bill changing the training standards for law enforcement officers regarding domestic abuse incidents and complaints was passed the final hurdle of passage, and now goes to Governor Walker’s desk for signature. The original bill required: A law enforcement officer to prepare a report if that officer does not make an arrest because that […]
Assembly Passes Asbestos Trust Fund Transparency
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 12:00am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate on Wednesday, March 12 passed asbestos trust fund transparency legislation (AB 19). The bill passed on a party-line vote (17-16). The bill was amended and was passed by the Assembly late this week. This is a significant victory for Wisconsin businesses. This legislation forces plaintiff attorneys filing asbestos lawsuits in Wisconsin courts to […]