Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB449

Introduced
2/5/24  
Refer
2/6/24  

Caption

Expanding the definition of healthcare provider for individuals providing care at the scene of an emergency or accident.

Impact

If enacted, SB449 will alter the current laws governing the actions of healthcare providers in emergency situations. By expanding the definition of who qualifies as a healthcare provider, the bill aims to encourage more community involvement in emergency situations by reducing potential litigation risks. It is expected to improve emergency response outcomes by facilitating faster assistance at accident scenes, which can be critical in saving lives and enhancing recovery prospects for patients.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 449 focuses on expanding liability protections for healthcare providers who render emergency care during accidents or emergencies. The bill proposes to amend existing statutes by broadening the definition of a 'healthcare provider' to include additional individuals trained in providing emergency care, such as those certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. This legislative measure is designed to bolster the willingness of trained individuals to assist in emergencies without the fear of legal repercussions, which can often deter bystanders from providing crucial aid.

Contention

While proponents of the bill advocate for the increased safety and efficiency in emergency response, there are concerns regarding potential unintended consequences. Critics might worry that expanding liability protections could lead to reluctance among trained providers to adhere to established emergency protocols, as the bill emphasizes good faith actions without rigorously addressing how 'good faith' will be interpreted in various circumstances. There may also be discussions surrounding the adequacy of training requirements for those newly classified as healthcare providers under this bill.

Notable_points

SB449 specifically outlines the conditions under which healthcare providers can operate without liability, emphasizing that negligence or willful misconduct remains a basis for accountability. The amendment aims to ensure that while many individuals can contribute in emergency situations, they are still expected to act within the bounds of their training and experience. The bill's focus on non-compensated care aims to foster a culture of volunteerism and immediate response at the scene of emergencies.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2438

Eliminating the instructor-coordinator's certificate requirement associated with the teaching of emergency medical services courses.

KS HB2039

Adding maternity center to the definition of healthcare provider for purposes of the healthcare provider insurance availability act, amending definitions in the Kansas credentialing act to provide that certain entities providing physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology are not home health agencies, clarifying that the authorized activities of paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technicians and emergency medical responders may be authorized upon the order of a healthcare professional, permitting certain ambulance services to offer service for less than 24 hours per day, every day of the year, and requiring entities that control automated external defibrillators to register the device with the emergency medical services board.

KS HB2014

Designating a portion of United States highway 69 in Crawford county as the Robert Lessen memorial highway.

KS SB287

House Substitute for SB 287 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Prohibiting a healthcare provider from administering medication, diagnostic tests or conducting ongoing behavioral health treatments to a minor in a school facility without parental consent, enacting the no patient left alone act to require medical care facilities to allow in-person visitation in certain circumstances, expanding licensure of rural emergency hospitals that meet criteria between January 2015 and December 2020 and authorizing emergency medical responders to distribute non prescription over-the-counter medications.

KS SB105

Relating to civil liability; to amend Section 6-5-332, Code of Alabama 1975, to limit the liability of members of any community emergency response team who perform emergency care at the scene of an accident or disaster.

KS SB233

House Substitute for SB 233 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Enacting the forbidding abuse child transitions act, restricting use of state funds to promote gender transitioning, prohibiting healthcare providers from treating children whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child's sex, authorizing a civil cause of action against healthcare providers for providing such treatments, requiring professional discipline against a healthcare provider who performs such treatment, prohibiting professional liability insurance from covering damages for healthcare providers that provide gender transition treatment to children and adding violation of the act to the definition of unprofessional conduct for physicians and nurses.

KS HB2171

Providing that peer review privilege for healthcare providers does not apply to factual information.

KS HB05341

An Act Providing Immunity From Liability For School Bus Drivers Who May Administer Epinephrine To A Student In An Emergency Situation.

KS HB2280

Adding a citation to the code of federal regulations to the definition of veteran and disabled veteran and removing the active requirement from military service members for occupational licensure.

KS SB63

Enacting the help not harm act, restricting use of state funds to promote gender transitioning, prohibiting healthcare providers from providing gender transition care to children whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child's sex, authorizing a civil cause of action against healthcare providers for providing such treatments, requiring professional discipline against a healthcare provider who performs such treatment, prohibiting professional liability insurance from covering damages for healthcare providers that provide gender transition treatment to children and adding violation of the act to the definition of unprofessional conduct for physicians.

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