What's happening
This bill allows registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to volunteer for emergency medical services without EMT certification.
Why it matters
Expands the pool of qualified emergency responders. by allowing registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to volunteer on ambulances and advanced life support teams, potentially helping to address shortages of EMTs, especially in rural or under-resourced areas.
Removes barriers for experienced medical professionals. RNs and LPNs can contribute their skills in emergency situations without having to undergo redundant EMT training or certification, making it easier and faster for them to participate in volunteer emergency services.
Extends legal protections (Good Samaritan immunity). to nurses volunteering in these roles, shielding them from civil liability for acts or omissions when providing emergency care, except in cases of gross negligence. This could encourage more healthcare professionals to step up in emergencies.
May improve patient outcomes during emergencies. by integrating highly trained nurses into pre-hospital care teams, enabling a broader range of medical interventions and potentially raising the standard of care for patients in need of urgent medical assistance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Nurses Give Emergency Aid
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1143
- Referred to health
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.
Nurses Can Provide EMS
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4384
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. MARCELLINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
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
S. 4384 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to allowing registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to provide volunteer emergency medical services
Purpose
This legislation will allow registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to provide emergency volunteer medical services without obtaining an emergency medical technician certification.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 adds a new section 3033 of the Public Health Law, which allows currently registered nurses or licensed practical nurses to provide volunteer emergency medical services and advanced life support first response services without having to complete an emergency medical technician training, examination certification program.
Section 2 amends subdivisions 1 and 4 of section 3013 of the Public Health Law to allow registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who voluntarily and without the expectation of monetary compensation renders medical assistance in an emergency shall not be liable for any damages, injuries, and death sustained by their services.
Justification
Although the qualifications to become a registered nurse and licensed practical nurse are much more rigorous than obtaining an emergency medical technician certification, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses cannot volunteer their services aboard an ambulance without an emergency technician certification. This bill would allow registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to volunteer their time and expertise on an ambulance under the supervision of a licensed emergency medical technician.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.