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House passes bill that prohibits lawsuits about obesity.

March 15, 2004
Date: March 15, 2004
By: Paul C. Matadeen
Links: HB 1115

State Capital Bureau

The House passes a bill banning obesity lawsuits.

Paul Matadeen has reaction... And why critics say the bill could be hazardous to your health.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The bill would stop food manufacturers, distributors, and sellers from being sued because of weight gain, obesity, or bad health.

But Clarence Representative Wes Shemeyer says the food industry needs to be responsible for their actions.

Actuality: SHOEMYERA.wav
RunTime: :07
OutCue: "...everyone involved."
Contents: "We need to make sure that food's safe for the largest industry in the state which is agriculture and everyone involved"

Proponents point out the bill only blocks lawsuits about getting fat. It now goes Senate.

From the state capitol, I'm Paul Matadeen.

-=UPDATE 2=-

A bill passes the House to block lawsuits about getting fat.

Paul Matadeen tells why some lawmakers' say this bill is a step in the wrong direction.

Story: UPDATE 2
RunTime: APPROX. :40
OutCue: SOC

The bill would ban consumers from sueing the food industry because of weight gain.

But Clarence Representative Wes Shoemyer (shoe-meyer) says the industry should be held responsible for their goods.

Actuality: SHOEMYERB.WAV
RunTime: :20
OutCue: SEE FILL
Contents: RUSHED COPY -- NOT VERBATE -- WHEN WE HAVE LAW THAT MAKES THE FOOD INDUSTRY LESS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT THEY MAKE... I HAVE GREAT CONCERNS.

Supporters say the bill only covers obesity.

The measure now goes to the senate.

From the state capitol, I'm Paul Matadeen.

-=UPDATE 3=-

A bill passes on the House floor that would stop lawsuits based on weight.

Paul Matadeen tells why some lawmakers disagree on what it does.

Story:
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OutCue: SOC

According to the bill, the food industry cannot be sued for causing obesity, weight gain, or related sickness.

Opponents say less responsibility may lead to food that's less safe.

But Jason Crowell of Cape Giradeau says that's not the case.

Actuality: CROWELLA.wav
RunTime: :23
OutCue: SEE FILL
Contents: RUSHED COPY -- NOT VERBATE: WE'RE NOT TALKINBG ABOUT A MEAT PACKER BUT AS IT READS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LAWSUITS THAT DEAL WITH WEIGHT GAIN, OBESITY , OR ISSUES RELATED TO OBESITY.

The bill will now go to the Senate for debate and a vote.

From the state capitol, I'm Paul Matadeen.