What's happening
This bill allows registered and licensed practical nurses to volunteer for emergency medical services without additional EMT training or certification.
Why it matters
Expands emergency response capacity. By allowing registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to volunteer for ambulance and advanced life support services, communities could have more medically trained personnel available during emergencies, especially where EMT staffing is limited.
Reduces barriers for nurse participation. The bill eliminates the need for RNs and LPNs to complete additional EMT training or certification, enabling them to contribute their existing medical skills immediately and making it easier for willing nurses to serve as volunteers.
Extends legal protections. The legislation amends current law to ensure that RNs and LPNs who volunteer in these roles are granted the same immunity from liability as EMTs, provided they are not grossly negligent, encouraging more nurses to volunteer without fear of lawsuits.
Potential for faster and higher-level care. With nurses able to join emergency responses, patients may receive advanced medical assessment and care sooner, potentially improving outcomes for those experiencing medical emergencies before they reach the hospital.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Nurses Give Emergency Care
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3882
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 31, 2019
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.
LBD05143-01-9
A. 3882 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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.