By: Uresti S.B. No. 1033

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to emergency medical services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 773.004, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) This chapter does not apply to:

(1) [a ground transfer vehicle and staff used to transport a patient who is under a physician's care between medical facilities or between a medical facility and a private residence, unless it is medically necessary to transport the patient using a stretcher;

[(2)] air transfer that does not advertise as an ambulance service and that is not licensed by the department;

(2) [(3)] the use of ground or air transfer vehicles to transport sick or injured persons in a casualty situation that exceeds the basic vehicular capacity or capability of emergency medical services providers in the area;

(3) [(4)] an industrial ambulance; or

(4) [(5)] a physician, registered nurse, or other health care practitioner licensed by this state unless the health care practitioner staffs an emergency medical services vehicle regularly.

SECTION 2. Section 773.041, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a-1) A person may not transport a patient by stretcher in a vehicle unless the person holds a license as an emergency medical services provider issued by the department in accordance with this chapter. For purposes of this subsection, "person" means an individual, corporation, organization, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business, trust, partnership, association, or any other legal entity.

SECTION 3. Not later than November 1, 2007, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act to Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.