United States · Amendment · HAMDT

HAMDT 170 (108th)

An amendment in the nature of a substitute numbered 4 printed in House Report 108-148. Section 1 of the amendment contains a short title, reference, and table of contents. Section 2 establishes improved procedures for certain class actions, including provisions for the use of coupon settlements, court approval of settlements, sealing of class action documents, and interlocutory appeals. Section 3 enacts the recommendations of the U. S. Judicial Conference with respect to notice to class members. Section 4 establishes a state court multi-district litigation panel for class actions. The panel allows for the consolidation of class actions pending in different state courts for pretrial proceedings. Section 5 of the amendment authorizes the National Center for State Courts to develop and implement a procedure by which state courts or the state court multi-district litigation panel may transfer certain class actions to federal courts.