Bills › 90th General Assembly
Relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person suspected of operating while intoxicated
Sponsored by the House Judiciary (successor To Hsb 149) Committee
Topics:Crime & correctionsHealth carePublic safety & emergencies
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedMarch 2, 2023
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 9, 2024
- Done: House committeeJanuary 23, 2024
- Done: Passes the HouseFebruary 20, 202495–0
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 6, 2024
- Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2024 session adjourned on April 19, 2024, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Currently, only certain medical professionals like doctors or nurses can take blood samples from people suspected of driving while intoxicated. This bill adds more people to that list, including emergency medical technicians, phlebotomists, and laboratory assistants. It also protects these workers from being sued or charged with a crime if they follow proper medical procedures while taking the samples.1
Read the official explanation
Under current law, when a person is suspected of operating a motor vehicle in violation of Code chapter 321J (operating while intoxicated), only a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, medical technologist, or registered nurse, who is acting at the request of a peace officer, may withdraw a specimen of blood for the purpose of determining the alcohol concentration or the presence of a controlled substance or other drugs. This bill expands the list of persons authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood. Under the bill, an emergency medical technician if authorized by the technician’s designated medical director, emergency medical technician-paramedic if authorized by the technician-paramedic’s designated medical director, licensed practical nurse, medical laboratory technician, phlebotomist, laboratory assistant, and other qualified persons are also authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood. The bill shields all authorized persons from civil and criminal liability for the withdrawal of a specimen of blood, except in cases of negligence, so long as the person acts reasonably, in good faith, and in accordance with standard medical procedures.
Changed since by amendment H-8025; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 20, 2024. On February 29, 2024 it recommended passage. [].
- Sen. David D. Rowley REmail
- Sen. Izaah Knox DEmail
- Sen. J. Taylor
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Family tree
Study bill
90th General Assembly
Picked up later
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Similar bills
- HSB 171 Relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person sus…91st General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 935Very similar
Matched by wording or an identical title.