SRC-TJG H.B. 861 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 861
78R2721 YDB-DBy: McReynolds (Madla)
Health & Human Services
4/30/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Emergency Care Attendants (ECA) in the state of Texas are the first level
of emergency medical care.   They are only allowed to deliver non-invasive
emergency medical services such as reading blood pressure, checking pulse
rates, dispersing oxygen, applying pressure bandages, repositioning
victims, and transporting victims to medical care facilities.  Under
current law, an individual may become an Emergency Care Attendant by
receiving certification through the Texas Department of Health (TDH).  In
order to get this certificate, TDH requires a person to be at least 18
years of age, successfully complete approved courses, pass a written test,
and pay all applicable fees.  TDH also requires that an ECA should have
either a GED or a high school diploma.  Currently,  TDH has the authority
to provide a waiver on the above-mentioned department requirements.
However, many in the community are not aware of this waiver process.  H.B.
861 allows an individual who serves as a volunteer emergency care
attendant to be exempt from the  high school diploma or degree
requirement.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of
Health in SECTION 1 (Section 773.046, Health and Safety Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 773.046, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

(a) Created from existing text.

(b) Prohibits the Texas Department of Health (TDH) from requiring an
individual to have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency
certificate for certification as an emergency care attendant under this
chapter if the individual certifies that the individual will serve only as
an emergency care attendant volunteer during the certification period. 

(c) Requires TDH to adopt rules as necessary to administer this section.

SECTION 2.  Requires TDH to adopt the rules necessary under Section
773.046, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, not later than
January 1, 2004. 

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2004.

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.