From the Raleigh News and Observer (5/9/11): Some public records would not really be public - at least to that segment of the public comprising inmates, probationers and parolees - under a bill that surfaced last week in a judiciary committee meeting. HB 348, sponsored by Rep. Shirley Randleman, a Republican from Wilkes County, is meant to protect state agency employees by blocking offenders' access to their personnel files.
Rep. Deborah Ross, Democrat from Raleigh, supports the idea but expressed concern that inmates’ attorneys might not be able to get records in cases involving, for example, allegations of mistreatment by guards. A court order would be required under the current wording in the bill. Randleman agreed to work with Ross to refine the bill.
Damages vs. costs
We told you the other day about the latest TV ad by the plaintiffs’ attorneys lobby against provisions of the medical malpractice reform bill in the General Assembly. The other side also has a new spot out.
North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care, the group representing the medical community, has come out with a commercial promoting a broader reform bill in the House (HB 542) that would let juries know how much a plaintiff’s medical expenses have amounted to, not just how much they’re suing for.