AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Interested parties report that the executive commissioner of the Heath and Human Services Commission, in an effort to assist returning veterans in securing employment, issued an executive order instituting reciprocity for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel certification to military personnel with EMS credentials from the United States military.  These parties assert that many military combat medic programs are substantially similar to civilian EMS certification programs and that the same consideration should be given to veterans who have received training under a combat medic program as is given to civilian EMS personnel from other states with regard to certification.  H.B. 1960 seeks to provide a statutory basis for such certification reciprocity.

 

H.B. 1960 amends current law relating to reciprocity for emergency medical services personnel certification for certain United States military personnel.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 773.050, Health and Safety Code) and SECTION 2 of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 773.050, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsection (c-1), as follows:

 

(c-1) Defines, in this subsection, "United States military" to mean the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard, any reserve or auxiliary component of any of those services, or the National Guard.  Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission by rule to provide that an individual is eligible for emergency medical services personnel certification through reciprocity if the individual:

 

(1)  successfully completed emergency medical services training provided by the United States military;

 

(2)  has emergency medical services personnel credentials from the United States military; and

 

(3)  is certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

 

SECTION 2. Requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, not later than January 1, 2014, to adopt rules necessary to implement Section 773.050(c-1), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2013.