Iowa House Bill HSB149

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person suspected of operating while intoxicated.(See HF 550, HF 2136.)

Impact

With the inclusion of paramedics as authorized personnel for blood withdrawal, HSB149 is expected to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of law enforcement in addressing incidents of driving under the influence. By increasing the number of qualified individuals who can perform blood draws, it could lead to quicker and potentially more accurate assessments of intoxication levels. This change may also alleviate some of the burdens on hospitals and emergency departments that handle such requests, allowing for better resource allocation in critical situations.

Summary

House Study Bill 149 (HSB149) aims to expand the list of medical personnel authorized to withdraw blood specimens from individuals suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The current law restricts this authority to licensed physicians, physician assistants, medical technologists, and registered nurses, but the proposed bill adds paramedics to this list. This legislative change is significant as it recognizes the critical role that paramedics play in emergency medical situations and acknowledges their capability to perform this procedure under the direction of law enforcement officers.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked discussions regarding the implications of allowing paramedics to conduct blood draws, particularly concerning training and the standards of care required to perform such invasive procedures safely. Concerns may arise related to the potential for errors, evidence handling in legal contexts, and the training rigor needed to ensure competency among paramedics. Critics might argue that this change could lead to an increase in legal challenges regarding the admissibility of blood evidence collected by personnel other than traditional medical professionals.