Brief Description: Describing specialized commercial vehicles used for patient transportation.

Sponsors: Representatives Newhouse, Cody, Clements, Bailey, Roach, Morrell, Lovick, Simpson, Murray, Chase, Kagi and Wallace.

Hearing Date: 1/31/05

Staff: Beth Redfield (786-7347).

Background:

Ambulance services are licensed by the Department of Health. Ambulance personnel requirements include at least one person who shall be an emergency medical technician under standards of the Department of Health.

Current state law requires that patients who must be carried on a stretcher or who may require medical attention be transported in ambulances or aid vehicles operated by services licensed by the Department of Health.

For-hire vehicles are licensed by the Department of Licensing. Local governments may regulate the services of for-hire vehicles, which include stretcher vans and cabulances.

Summary of Bill:

A stretcher is defined as a cart commonly used in the ambulance industry for transporting patients in a prone or supine position. The term does not include personal mobility aids that recline at an angle or remain in a flat position that are owned or leased for at least one week by the individual being transported.

People who use a personal mobility aid may be transported by stretcher vans or cabulances.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 26, 2005.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.