BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1432
By: Berlanga
03-21-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Texas law currently establishes minimum staffing of ambulances as
two Emergency Care Attendants (ECA). ECAs are required to complete
40 hours of training. Texas is one of only ten states in the
country that allow staffing of ambulances at a level below that of
an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), a position that requires a
minimum of 120 hours of training. All states adjacent to Texas
require two EMTs to staff an ambulance.

PURPOSE

H.B. 1432 would establish the minimum staffing of ambulances at two
EMTs, to be achieved by September 1, 2000.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 773.050(a), Health and Safety Code,
effective September 1,        2000, by raising the minimum staffing
level for ambulances from two ECAs to        two EMTs.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1432 was considered by the Committee on Public Health in a
public hearing on March 21, 1995.

The following persons testified neutrally on the bill:
     Susan Steeg, representing Texas Department of Health.
     Gene Weatherall, representing Texas Department of Health.

The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
8 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, 1 Absent.