Title: An act relating to directing the department of health to develop guidelines for the safety of individuals who rely upon stretchers and personal mobility devices.

Brief Description: Concerning the transport of certain nonambulatory persons.

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

Brief History: Passed House: 3/09/07, 95-2.

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/28/07, 3/29/07 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Fairley, Kastama, Kohl-Welles and Marr.

Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7465)

Background: Ambulance services are licensed by the Department of Health (DOH). 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, the Legislature passed HB 1237 (chapter 193) 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 of Substitute Bill: 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 DOH 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.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED STRIKING AMENDMENT(S) AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Health & Long-Term Care): Establishes a stakeholder group that includes DOH, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Department of Transportation to assist in developing guidelines for vehicles transporting persons using stretchers and mobility devices.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This helps people with disabilities have the independence to move around their community and live mobile lives.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Angela Barbre, Community Transportation Association NW; Brad Bergener, Medstar Cabulance; Bob Berschauer, Washington Ambulance Association.