R156-78B-14. Determination - Supplemental Opinion - Issuance of Panel Opinion - Certificate of Compliance

(1) Panel Determination.

As soon as is reasonably practicable following the conclusion of a hearing or submission of a case to the panel in accordance with Section R156-78B-13, and, if applicable, submission of briefs by the parties, the panel shall render and file with the Division a determination whether each claim against each health care provider has merit or has no merit, and if meritorious whether the conduct complained of resulted in harm to the claimant. If applicable, the determination shall also reflect the panel's evaluation of the damages sustained by the petitioner.

(2) Supplementary Memorandum Opinion.

Within 30 days after filing its determination, the panel shall render and file with the Division a memorandum opinion explaining the panel's determination. The chairman of the panel shall be responsible for the preparation of the memorandum opinion of the panel, but may delegate the initial preparation of the opinion to another member of the panel.

(3) Issuance of Panel Determination and Opinion.

In accordance with Subsections 78B-3-416(3)(a)(i)(A) and 78B-3-418(1)(a), it is the responsibility of a prelitigation panel to render its panel determination and opinion and file them with the Division, and the Division's responsibility to issue the panel determination and opinion.

(4) Certificate of Compliance.

(a) The Director or designee shall issue a certificate of compliance which recites that the petitioner has fully complied with the prelitigation panel requirements of Title 78B, Chapter 3, as follows:

(i) in the case of a meritorious finding or determination, the Division shall issue the certificate of compliance to the petitioner within 15 days after:

(A) the filing of the panel's memorandum opinion; or

(B) in the case of the panel's memorandum opinion not being filed, within 15 days after the deadline for the filing of the memorandum opinion;

(ii) in the case of a determination made under Subsection 78B-3-416(3)(d)(ii)(A), within 15 days after petitioner's filing of an affidavit of respondent's failure to reasonably cooperate in the scheduling of a prelitigation hearing;

(iii) in the case of a submission of a written stipulation that no useful purpose would be served by convening a prelitigation panel submitted under Subsection 78B-3-416(3)(e), within 15 days after the filing of the stipulation; and

(iv) in all other cases where an affidavit of merit is required as specified by Section 78B-3-423, within 15 days after the timely filing of the affidavit of merit.

(b) The Division shall include with its service of a certificate of compliance copies of supporting documentation including the applicable panel determination or finding, supplemental memorandum opinion, determination on petitioner's affidavit of respondent's failure to reasonably cooperate in the schedule of a prelitigation hearing, required affidavits of merit, etc.

(c) In accordance with Subsection 78B-3-423(6), a certificate of compliance shall not be issued to a person who fails to timely file a required affidavit of merit.