Bills › 91st 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 Public Safety Committee
Topics:Crime & correctionsPublic safety & emergencies
Same legislation: HSB 171
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 13, 2025
- Done: House committeeMarch 6, 2025
- Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, 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 can take blood samples from people suspected of driving while intoxicated. This bill adds more people to that list, including paramedics, practical nurses, and phlebotomists. These new workers will be protected from legal trouble as long as they follow proper medical safety rules.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, a paramedic if authorized by the 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 at the request of a peace officer. The bill requires a person who withdraws a specimen of blood to act reasonably, in good faith, and in accordance with standard medical procedures and applicable occupational safety and health standards. 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 in compliance with the bill.
House subcommittee
Named February 26, 2025 (as HSB 171). On February 26, 2025 it recommended passage.
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
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91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.
- HF 550 Relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person sus…90th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 2136 · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2136 Relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person sus…90th General Assembly · Passed House · very similarPassed a chamber
Matched by wording or an identical title.