Bills › 91st General Assembly

Relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person suspected of operating while intoxicated

Topics:Crime & correctionsPublic safety & emergencies

Same legislation: HF 935

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 13, 2025
  3. Done: House committeeMarch 6, 2025
  4. Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 935
  5. Next: Senate committee
  6. Next: Passes the Senate
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Became HF 935 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 935 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 emergency medical technicians, 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

_____ 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 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.

Full bill text2

House subcommittee

Named February 26, 2025. 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

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§321J.11

How the Code works3

Lobbying

3 for · 1 against · 5 undecided · Who →

Family tree

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 title
    Cleared committee
  • HF 2136 Relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person sus…
    90th General Assembly · Passed House · very similar
    Passed a chamber

Matched by wording or an identical title.