88R1274 SCL-D
 
  By: Birdwell S.B. No. 1898
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to emergency medical transport by fire fighters of certain
  patients.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 773, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 773.0043 to read as follows:
         Sec. 773.0043.  FIRE FIGHTER EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS;
  MEDICAL TREATMENT AND TRANSPORT PROTOCOLS. (a) In this section,
  "fire fighter" means:
               (1)  an individual who is defined as fire protection
  personnel under Section 419.021, Government Code; or
               (2)  an individual who is a volunteer fire fighter
  certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State
  Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 773.041, a fire fighter,
  regardless of whether the fire fighter is licensed as an emergency
  medical services provider, may transport a sick or injured patient
  to a health care facility in a vehicle other than an emergency
  medical services vehicle if:
               (1)  the appropriate emergency medical services
  provider:
                     (A)  is notified of the patient's clinical
  condition; and
                     (B)  is unable to provide emergency medical
  services imminently at the patient's location; and
               (2)  the medical treatment and transport protocols for
  the patient's apparent clinical condition authorize transport of
  the patient in a vehicle other than an emergency medical services
  vehicle.
         (c)  Each emergency medical services and trauma care system
  shall develop the medical treatment and transport protocols
  necessary to implement this section for the area covered by the
  system and provide notice of the protocols to the emergency medical
  services providers and fire fighters in that area.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2024, each emergency
  medical services and trauma care system shall develop medical
  treatment and transport protocols necessary to implement Section
  773.0043, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, and provide
  notice of the protocols to the emergency medical services providers
  and fire fighters in the area.
         SECTION 3.  Section 773.0043, Health and Safety Code, as
  added by this Act, applies only to transportation provided on or
  after January 1, 2024.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.