The state Senate passed two bills Wednesday, under which MSU doctors will lose their immunity from malpractice lawsuits.

The bills close a 14-year-old loophole that has protected MSU doctors. They await Gov. John Engler’s signature.

A 1986 state law prevents lawsuits against government employees who perform functions for the government.

Excluded are employees of agencies that operate or own a county medical facility or hospital.

MSU does not own or operate a hospital, thus the state Supreme Court ruled MSU doctors should have the same immunity granted to other employees.

State Rep. Lingg Brewer, D-Holt, was one of the co-sponsors of the bills. Brewer said many Michigan residents were victims of doctor malpractice, but the loophole in the left them without justice.

“There have been scores of people (injured by these doctors), and they have no recourse under the law unless the current bill passes unamended,” Brewer said.