Texas House Bill HB2845

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/09
• Voted on by House: 5/5/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/22/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/27/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/31/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the certification of and disciplinary actions against emergency medical services personnel.

Impact

The bill's changes will amend existing statutes regarding the certification process for EMS personnel, aiming to ensure that individuals who hold these critical roles in public safety have met stringent ethical and legal standards. If enacted, the bill may lead to stricter oversight of EMS personnel, ensuring that those with serious criminal backgrounds are disqualified from serving in these positions. This aims to enhance community confidence in EMS services and improve overall public safety in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 2845 proposes significant amendments to the certification requirements and disciplinary actions against emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in Texas. It seeks to enhance the accountability of EMS professionals by establishing clear grounds for suspending or revoking certification based on criminal offenses that relate directly to their duties. The bill allows the commissioner to consider various factors, such as the nature of the crime and the relationship of the crime to the responsibilities of EMS personnel, when making certification decisions.

Contention

While the intention behind HB 2845 is to safeguard the integrity of EMS personnel, there may be points of contention regarding the applicability of the new certification standards. Stakeholders could argue that the bill may disproportionately impact individuals with past offenses that are not directly related to their current ability to perform in an EMS role. Critics might voice concerns over the fairness of denying certification based on criminal history, especially for individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation and commitment to public service after serving their sentences.