What's happening
This bill allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to provide volunteer emergency medical services without EMT certification.
Why it matters
Expands the pool of eligible volunteer emergency responders. by allowing registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to provide emergency medical services without needing additional EMT certification, potentially reducing response times and filling gaps in underserved areas.
Leverages existing medical skills. of nurses, recognizing that their formal training already exceeds that of EMTs in many areas, and allowing them to use their expertise in emergency scenarios alongside EMTs and advanced EMTs.
Extends legal protections. ("Good Samaritan" liability coverage) to nurses volunteering in emergencies, making them less vulnerable to lawsuits unless gross negligence is proven, which could encourage more nurses to volunteer.
May improve patient outcomes. in emergencies by increasing the number and diversity of highly trained medical professionals available to respond, particularly in communities struggling to recruit and retain EMT-certified volunteers.
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Nurses Can Provide EMS
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Nurses Give Emergency Aid
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Carl L. Marcellino
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8547
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
July 10, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to allowing registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to provide volunteer emergency medical services
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 3033 to read as follows:
§ 3033. Registered nurses or licensed practical nurses volunteering emergency medical services. Currently registered nurses or licensed practical nurses shall be able to provide volunteer emergency medical services for ambulance services and advanced life support first response services alongside emergency medical technicians and advanced emergency medical technicians without having to complete emergency medical technician training, examination, or a certification program.
§ 2. Subdivisions 1 and 4 of section 3013 of the public health law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 445 of the laws of 1993 and subdivision 4 as amended by chapter 804 of the laws of 1992, are amended to read as follows:
1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any general, special or local law, a voluntary ambulance service or voluntary advanced life support first response service described in section three thousand one of this article and any member thereof who is a certified first responder, an emergency medical technician, an advanced emergency medical technician, a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, or a person acting under the direction of an emergency medical technician [or], advanced emergency medical technician, or a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, and who voluntarily and without the expectation of monetary compensation renders medical assistance in an emergency to a person who is unconscious, ill or injured shall not be liable for
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09038-03-7
A. 8547 2
damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by such person or for damages for the death of such person alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such medical assistance in an emergency unless it is established that such injuries were or such death was caused by gross negligence on the part of such certified first responder, emergency medical technician, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse or advanced emergency medical technician or person acting under the direction of an emergency medical technician, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse or advanced emergency medical technician.
4. A certified first responder, emergency medical technician [or], advanced emergency medical technician, or a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, whether or not he or she is acting on behalf of an ambulance service or advanced life support first response service, who voluntarily and without the expectation of monetary compensation renders medical assistance in an emergency to a person who is unconscious, ill or injured shall not be liable for damages alleged to have been sustained by such person or for damages for the death of such person alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such medical assistance in an emergency unless it is established that such injuries were or such death was caused by gross negligence on the part of such certified first responder, emergency medical technician, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse or advanced emergency medical technician.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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