HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5211
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 Reported by House Committee On:
Public Safety
Title: An act relating to prohibiting the use of live animals to practice invasive medical procedures in paramedic training programs.
Brief Description: Prohibiting the use of live animals to practice invasive medical procedures in paramedic training programs.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Palumbo, Rolfes, Hunt and Zeiger).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Public Safety: 3/25/19, 4/1/19 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill (As Amended by Committee) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Goodman, Chair; Davis, Vice Chair; Appleton, Lovick, Orwall, Pellicciotti and Pettigrew.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Klippert, Ranking Minority Member; Sutherland, Assistant Ranking Minority Member.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Graham and Griffey.
Staff: Omeara Harrington (786-7136).
Background:
Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel are certified by the Department of Health. There are four primary categories of EMS personnel: paramedics; advanced emergency medical technicians; emergency medical technicians; and first responders. Emergency medical services personnel may only provide services within the scope of care established in the curriculum of the person's level of certification or any specialized training.
A paramedic is a person who has been trained to perform all phases of prehospital emergency care, including advanced life support, under authorization of a physician. To become a paramedic, a person must have:
successfully completed an emergency medical technician course;
trained under the supervision of an approved medical program director to perform specific phases of advanced cardiac and trauma life support under the authorization of an approved licensed physician; and
been examined and certified as a paramedic by the University of Washington's School of Medicine or the Department of Health.
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Summary of Amended Bill:
By July 1, 2022, all paramedic training programs training individuals in the medical treatment of persons may only use human-based training methods and may not use live animals. Human-based training methods include the use of systems and devices, including simulators, partial task trainers, or human cadavers. Partial task trainers are defined as training aids that allow individuals to learn or practice specific medical procedures.
Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:
The provision requiring paramedic training programs to only use human-based training methods and not use live animals is codified in 18.71 RCW (the chapter of the RCW governing paramedic certification and related requirements) rather than 16.52 RCW (the chapter of the RCW relating to prevention of cruelty to animals).
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Historically, some emergency medical technician and paramedic programs have used live pigs to teach intubation and crycothyotomy. This is horrific for the involved pigs. In the past this was the best way to simulate human anatomy, but now there are simulators that work just as well. The bill is narrowly tailored to apply only to paramedic training programs. It is also structured to allow some time to phase out current practices that will be prohibited under the bill.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Palumbo, prime sponsor; and Ian Goodhew, University of Washington Medicine – Harborview Medical Center.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.