is expanded to define the procedures for review and approval of class settlements.

The rule adopts the changes in Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(e) with one stylistic modification. The federal rule, read literally, might appear to suggest that a trial court must approve every settlement submitted for approval; the language is reworked in the proposed rule to make it clear that although court approval is required for a settlement to be effective, the court's options are not constrained. Indeed, many proposed settlements are properly rejected for not being in the interest of class members. Rule 23.05(a)(3) requires that a hearing be held, and Rule 23.05(b) creates an express requirement that any "side" agreements relating to the settlement must be identified in a statement filed with the court. Rule 23.05(a)(1) removes an ambiguity that existed under the old rule, and now expressly requires court approval only of claims of a certified class. Rule 23.05(c) authorizes the court to allow a "second opt-out" right in actions certified under Rule 23.02(c). In these actions an opt-out deadline is typically established early in the period following certification. This provision allows the court to permit class members who have not opted out to do so with knowledge of the actual settlement terms.