BILL ANALYSIS


                                                    C.S.H.B. 1145
                                           By: Harris, J. (Madla)
                                        Health and Human Services
                                                          5-24-95
                            Senate Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND

Following the completion of an Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
training program, candidates for EMS certification are not able to
use the knowledge and skills learned in training until such time as
they have submitted an application, and successfully passed a
certification examination.  This may cause problems for EMS
providers since they are not able to use the talents of these
individuals until the certification process has been completed.  In
the case of the small volunteer providers, the service may be left
with very few responders.  In the case of the large fire
departments around the state, the persons are on the payroll and
are not able to work at full capacity.  Other health professions
have solved this problem by allowing an individual to work in a
provisional status as a graduate of the training program until the
certification or licensing process is complete.

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.H.B. 1145 authorizes the Texas Department of
Health to issue a provisional certificate to emergency medical
personnel under certain circumstances and requires the department
to provide for the voluntary certification of emergency medical
dispatchers.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the Texas Board of Health in SECTION 1 (Section 773.0551(b),
Health and Safety Code) and in SECTION 2 (Section 773.0552(b),
Health and Safety Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 773C, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Section 773.0551, as follows:

     Sec. 773.0551.  PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE.  (a) Authorizes the
     Texas Department of Health (department) to issue a provisional
     certificate to a person who has not taken the certification
     examination and possesses the qualifications for provisional
     certification.
     
     (b) Authorizes a person who holds a provisional certificate
       to provide only emergency medical services permitted under
       rules adopted the Texas Board of Health (board).  
       
       (c) Sets forth dates until which a provisional certificate
       is valid.
       
SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 773C, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Section 773.0552, as follows:

     Sec. 773.0552.  CERTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL
     DISPATCHERS.  (a) Requires the department to provide for the
     voluntary certification of emergency medical dispatchers
     (dispatchers).
     
     (b) Requires the board, by rule, to establish minimum
       standards for certification as dispatchers.
       
       (c) Requires a nonrefundable fee of $25 to accompany each
       application for certification as a dispatcher.
       
       (d) Requires the department to issue a certificate to a
       dispatcher who meets the minimum standards for certification
       as a dispatcher.  Provides that a certificate is valid for
       four years after the date of issuance.
       
       (e) Requires the department to charge a fee of $5 to replace
       a lost or stolen certificate.
       
       (f) Provides that this section does not require a dispatcher
       to be certified.
       
       (g) Defines "emergency medical dispatcher."
SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 1995.

     (b) Requires the board to adopt rules by December 31, 1995.
SECTION 4. Emergency clause.