AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, in Transportation Code provisions relating to the rules of the road, an "authorized emergency vehicle" includes public and private ambulances operated by licensed persons.  However, emergency services providers are increasingly using vehicles that are not ambulances for first response to medical emergencies, particularly when a regular ambulance is not immediately available or when additional emergency personnel are necessary.  Since these vehicles are not included within the statutory definition of an "authorized emergency vehicle," they must comply with certain traffic laws and parking restrictions when responding to an emergency call and cannot operate with certain emergency lighting and sound equipment.

 

H.B. 567 addresses this issue by including these emergency medical services vehicles that are not ambulances in the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle."  H.B. 567 redefines "authorized emergency vehicles" to include an emergency medical services vehicle authorized under an emergency medical services provider license issued by the Department of State Health Services under the Emergency Health Care Act and operating under a contract with an emergency services district that requires the emergency medical services provider to respond to emergency calls with the vehicle.

 

H.B. 567 amends current law relating to the definition of an authorized emergency vehicle.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 541.201(1), Transportation Code, as follows:

 

(1)  Redefines "authorized emergency vehicle" to include a public or private ambulance operated by a person who has been issued a license by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), rather than the Texas Department of Health; or an emergency medical services vehicle authorized under an emergency medical services provider license issued by DSHS under Chapter 773 (Emergency Medical Services), Health and Safety Code, and operating under a contract with an emergency services district that requires the emergency medical services provider to respond to emergency calls with the vehicle.  Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2013.