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Senate backs 'Sorry Works'‑style bill to let medical staff apologize; lawmakers question evidence rule authority
Summary
The Utah Senate approved a first substitute to SB41 allowing unsworn apologies and explanations by medical personnel to be inadmissible in civil actions, while debate flagged constitutional and evidentiary concerns about who sets rules of evidence.
The Utah Senate on Jan. 24 approved a first substitute to Senate Bill 41, a proposal based on the ‘Sorry Works’ model that sponsors say promotes full disclosure after adverse medical outcomes and may reduce litigation.
Sponsor Senator Thomas told colleagues the bill encourages medical personnel to apologize and explain events to patients without fear those comments will be used as admissions of liability in malpractice suits. "This model represents a middle approach to medical malpractice liability reform," Thomas said on…
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