88R1274 SCL-D
By: Harris of Anderson H.B. No. 624
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to emergency medical transport by fire fighters of certain
patients.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 773.0043 to read as follows:
Sec. 773.0043. FIRE FIGHTER EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS;
MEDICAL TREATMENT AND TRANSPORT PROTOCOLS. (a) In this section,
"fire fighter" means:
(1) an individual who is defined as fire protection
personnel under Section 419.021, Government Code; or
(2) an individual who is a volunteer fire fighter
certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State
Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 773.041, a fire fighter,
regardless of whether the fire fighter is licensed as an emergency
medical services provider, may transport a sick or injured patient
to a health care facility in a vehicle other than an emergency
medical services vehicle if:
(1) the appropriate emergency medical services
provider:
(A) is notified of the patient's clinical
condition; and
(B) is unable to provide emergency medical
services imminently at the patient's location; and
(2) the medical treatment and transport protocols for
the patient's apparent clinical condition authorize transport of
the patient in a vehicle other than an emergency medical services
vehicle.
(c) Each emergency medical services and trauma care system
shall develop the medical treatment and transport protocols
necessary to implement this section for the area covered by the
system and provide notice of the protocols to the emergency medical
services providers and fire fighters in that area.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2024, each emergency
medical services and trauma care system shall develop medical
treatment and transport protocols necessary to implement Section
773.0043, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, and provide
notice of the protocols to the emergency medical services providers
and fire fighters in the area.
SECTION 3. Section 773.0043, Health and Safety Code, as
added by this Act, applies only to transportation provided on or
after January 1, 2024.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.