H.B. No. 624
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 OPERATING GUIDELINES. (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 operating
guidelines for the patient's apparent clinical condition authorize
transport of the patient in a vehicle other than an emergency
medical services vehicle.
(c) Each trauma service area regional advisory council
shall develop the medical treatment and transport operating
guidelines necessary to implement this section for the area served
by the council and provide notice of the guidelines to the emergency
medical services providers and fire fighters in that area.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2024, each trauma
service area regional advisory council shall develop medical
treatment and transport operating guidelines necessary to
implement Section 773.0043, Health and Safety Code, as added by
this Act, and provide notice of the guidelines 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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 624 was passed by the House on March
30, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 624 was passed by the Senate on May
10, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor