h_hie_2016a_2016-01-28t13:32:04z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 01/28/2016

03:25 PM -- HB 16-1034



Representative McCann called the committee back to order. Representative Sias presented House Bill 16-1034, concerning emergency medical responder registration in the Department of Public Health and Environment. Under current law, first responders are overseen by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Under the bill, beginning July 1, 2017, "first responders" will be renamed as "emergency medical responders" and must register with the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE). The DPHE will create and administer the registration program, including promulgating rules for training programs and continued competency requirements, and will be responsible for investigating complaints and taking disciplinary action if necessary. The bill adds the registration program to the programs that can be funded from the Emergency Medical Services Account in the Highway Users Tax Fund.



Emergency medical responders must be registered in order to provide care unless acting as a good samaritan. To be registered as an emergency medical responder, at a minimum, a person must be certified through a nationally recognized emergency responder certification organization, and submit to a fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The bill provides for the provisional registration of applicants whose fingerprint-based criminal history record check has not been completed. The DPHE will develop additional registration requirements and may set fees as part of its rulemaking process. Amendments L.003 and L.004 (Attachments I and J) were distributed to the committee members.



160128 AttachI.pdf160128 AttachJ.pdf



03:27 PM



Representative Sias answered questions from the committee.



03:30 PM -- Mark Quick, DPS, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Quick answered questions from the committee members.



03:44 PM -- Randy Kuykendall, DPHE, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Kuyrkendall answered questions from the committee.



03:59 PM



Kristen Forestal, Office of Legislative Legal Services, answered questions from the committee.



04:00 PM -- Ann Clement, Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



04:02 PM



Representative Sias discussed amendments L.003, L.004, and L.005. He stated that amendment L.005 (Attachment K) replaces amendment L.003.



160128 AttachK.pdf



04:05 PM



Ms. Forrestal answered questions about the amendments.



04:07 PM -- Michelle Reese, DPHE, responded to questions from the committee.



04:19 PM



Representative Sias answered questions from the committee.

04:21 PM



Representative Sias made concluding remarks about the bill.

04:25 PM



The committee adjourned.