SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5208
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of January 23, 2019
Title: An act relating to emergency medical services for animals.
Brief Description: Concerning emergency medical services for animals.
Sponsors: Senators Palumbo, Wilson, L., Mullet, Wilson, C., Carlyle, Cleveland, Kuderer, Zeiger, Liias, Das and Frockt.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 1/21/19.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE |
Staff: Greg Attanasio (786-7410)
Background: Emergency Medical Services. The Department of Health (DOH) regulates the practice of emergency medical responders (EMR), emergency medical technicians (EMT), advanced emergency medical technicians (AEMT), and paramedics to provide a range of emergency medical services including patient assessment, placement of airway adjuncts, bandaging, splintering, administration of certain medications, and other pre-hospital patient services.
Veterinary Medicine. The practice of veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry is, among other things, the diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of diseases, defects, conditions, or injuries of animals, for hire, fee, or compensation. This may include administering drugs, performing operations, performing any manual procedure for the diagnosis of pregnancy, sterility, or infertility of livestock, or implanting any electronic device for the purpose of establishing or maintaining positive identification of animals. Any person practicing veterinary medicine in the state must be licensed by DOH. Licensure requirements do not apply to veterinary students, veterinary technicians or veterinary medication clerks acting under the supervision and control of a licensed veterinarian, a person practicing veterinary medicine upon their own animal, and commissioned veterinarians in the United States military services, among others.
Summary of Bill: In an emergency medical or fire response, if an EMR, EMT, AEMT, paramedic, or other professional or volunteer emergency responder is authorized by law or rules to provide the corresponding service to a human patient, they may provide the following emergency medical service to an animal:
open and manually maintain an airway;
give mouth to snout or mouth to barrier ventilation;
administer oxygen;
perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
manage ventilation by mask;
control hemorrhaging with direct pressure;
immobilize a fracture; or
apply bandaging.
An emergency medical service provider acting in accordance with this act is not required to hold a veterinary license. A veterinarian may establish and provide a written protocol to, or consult with, an emergency medical service provider, emergency medical services medical program director, or emergency medical service organization for the purpose of enabling the provision of emergency services pursuant to this act.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Fire and other responders currently render aid to animals in an emergency but have no liability protection. This bill will provide legal protections for responders and allow them to render aid without a veterinary license.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Lanette Dyer, West Thurston Fire Department/ Captain Lanette Dyer.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.