DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 164 Original 2020 Regular Session Davis
Abstract: Provides relative to emergency medical services in certain life-threatening situations and
protocols for rendering such services.
Present law provides that in a case of a life-threatening situation as determined by a licensed
emergency medical services (EMS) practitioner, when voice contact with a physician is delayed or
not possible, or when the delay in treatment could endanger the life of the patient, the practitioner
may render services in accordance with a protocol established by the EMS committee or executive
committee of the parish or component medical society, or its designee, until voice communication
can be established at the earliest possible time.
Proposed law retains present law and adds thereto an authorization for licensed EMS practitioners
to render services in such situations in accordance with a protocol approved by the EMS medical
director who is a board-certified or board-eligible emergency medicine physician until voice
communication can be established at the earliest possible time.
(Amends R.S. 40:1133.14(C) and (E))