Title: An act relating to specialized commercial vehicles used for patient transportation.

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

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Swecker, Doumit and Haugen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation:

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Dalene Sprick (786-7321)

Background: Under current law, generally patients who must be carried on a stretcher or who may require medical attention en route must be transported via an ambulance or an aid car, except when a disaster creates a situation that cannot be served by licensed ambulances. However, stretcher is not currently defined.

Summary of Bill: The legislature finds that requiring all patients who need to travel in a prone or supine position but are medically stable, to be transported by an ambulance can be overly restrictive to individuals with disabilities.

"Stretcher" is defined as a cart designed to serve as a litter for the transportation of a patient in a prone or supine position as commonly used in the ambulance industry. However, it specifically excludes personal mobility aids that recline at an angle or remain at a flat position, such as wheelchairs, personal gurneys, or banana carts. Such personal mobility aids must be owned or leased for a period of at least one week by the individual using the equipment or the individual's guardian or representative.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested February 2, 2005.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.