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.