Brief Description: Concerning the transport of certain nonambulatory persons.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Newhouse, Cody and Schual-Berke).

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

Ambulance services are licensed by the Department of Health (Department). Ambulance services must meet certain standards for their vehicles relating to personnel, equipment, and vehicle safety.

Patients who must be carried on a stretcher or who may require medical attention en route may only be transported by an ambulance. In 2005 legislation was enacted which specified that the term "stretcher" does not include personal mobility devices that are owned or leased for a period of at least one week.

Summary:

An exception to the prohibition on using non-ambulance vehicles to transport individuals who must be carried on a stretcher is made for people whose personal mobility aid cannot be adequately secured in the non-ambulance vehicle. The individual must have written authorization from a physician for the non-ambulance personnel to transfer the person from a personal mobility aid to a stretcher.

The Department must develop guidelines relating to appropriate situations for a non-ambulance vehicle to transport individuals who rely upon personal mobility aids and methods for properly securing personal mobility aids, and determining whether or not they are adequately secured. To assist with developing the guidelines, the Department shall convene a stakeholder group that includes the Department of Social and Health Services, the Department of Transportation, and local special needs transportation providers.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   95   2
Senate   48   0   (Senate amended)
House   94   0   (House concurred)

Effective: July 22, 2007