Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect SB0066S01.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

First Substitute S.B. 66

Senator Lyle W. Hillyard proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
UNIFORM EMERGENCY VOLUNTEER HEALTH

             2     
PRACTITIONERS ACT

             3     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             6     
House Sponsor: R. Curt Webb

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill enacts provisions governing licensed practitioners from outside of the state
             11      who come to Utah to provide health and veterinary services in response to declared
             12      emergencies in Utah.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    defines terms;
             16          .    provides for the registration and regulation of volunteer health practitioners from
             17      outside of Utah;
             18          .    authorizes Utah to regulate, direct, and restrict the scope and extent of services
             19      provided by volunteer health practitioners;
             20          .    provides limitations on the civil liability exposure of volunteer health practitioners;
             21      and
             22          .    allows volunteer health practitioners who suffer injury or death while providing
             23      services the option to elect workers' compensation benefits as an exclusive remedy.
             24      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             25          None


             26      Other Special Clauses:
             27          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.
             28      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             29      AMENDS:
             30          58-1-307, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapters 206 and 239
             31          58-13-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 306
             32      ENACTS:
             33          26-49-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             34          26-49-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             35          26-49-103, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             36          26-49-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             37          26-49-202, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             38          26-49-203, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             39          26-49-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             40          26-49-205, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41          26-49-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             42          26-49-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             43          26-49-501, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             44          26-49-601, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45          26-49-701, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             46          58-1-405, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47     
             48      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             49          Section 1. Section 26-49-101 is enacted to read:
             50     
CHAPTER 49 UNIFORM EMERGENCY VOLUNTEER HEALTH PRACTITIONERS

             51     
ACT

             52     
Part 1. General Provisions

             53          26-49-101. Title.
             54          This chapter is known as the "Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act."
             55          Section 2. Section 26-49-102 is enacted to read:
             56          26-49-102. Definitions.


             57          As used in this chapter:
             58          (1) "Department of Health" shall have the meaning provided for in Section 26-1-4 .
             59          (2) "Disaster relief organization" means an entity that:
             60          (a) provides emergency or disaster relief services that include health or veterinary
             61      services provided by volunteer health practitioners;
             62          (b) is designated or recognized as a provider of the services described in Subsection
             63      (2)(a) under a disaster response and recovery plan adopted by:
             64          (i) an agency of the federal government;
             65          (ii) the state Department of Health; or
             66          (iii) a local health department; and
             67          (c) regularly plans and conducts its activities in coordination with:
             68          (i) an agency of the federal government;
             69          (ii) the Department of Health; or
             70          (iii) a local health department.
             71          (3) "Emergency" means a "state of emergency" as defined in Section 63-5a-2 .
             72          (4) "Emergency declaration" shall have the meaning provided for in Sections 63-5a-5
             73      and 63-5a-6 .
             74          (5) "Emergency Management Assistance Compact" means the interstate compact
             75      approved by Congress by Public Law No. 104-321, 110 Stat. 3877 and adopted by Utah in Title
             76      53, Chapter 2, Part 2, Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
             77          (6) "Entity" means a person other than an individual.
             78          (7) "Health facility" means an entity licensed under the laws of this or another state to
             79      provide health or veterinary services.
             80          (8) "Health practitioner" means an individual licensed under Utah law or another state
             81      to provide health or veterinary services.
             82          (9) "Health services" means the provision of treatment, care, advice, guidance, other
             83      services, or supplies related to the health or death of individuals or human populations, to the
             84      extent necessary to respond to an emergency, including:
             85          (a) the following, concerning the physical or mental condition or functional status of an
             86      individual or affecting the structure or function of the body:
             87          (i) preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance, or palliative care; or


             88          (ii) counseling, assessment, procedures, or other services;
             89          (b) selling or dispensing a drug, a device, equipment, or another item to an individual
             90      in accordance with a prescription; and
             91          (c) funeral, cremation, cemetery, or other mortuary services.
             92          (10) "Host entity":
             93          (a) means an entity operating in Utah that:
             94          (i) uses volunteer health practitioners to respond to an emergency; and
             95          (ii) is responsible during an emergency, for actually delivering health services to
             96      individuals or human populations, or veterinary services to animals or animal populations; and
             97          (b) may include disaster relief organizations, hospitals, clinics, emergency shelters,
             98      health care provider offices, or any other place where volunteer health practitioners may
             99      provide health or veterinary services.
             100          (11) (a) "License" means authorization by a state to engage in health or veterinary
             101      services that are unlawful without authorization.
             102          (b) "License" includes authorization under this title to an individual to provide health
             103      or veterinary services based upon a national or state certification issued by a public or private
             104      entity.
             105          (12) "Local health department" shall have the meaning provided for in Subsection
             106      26A-1-102 (5).
             107          (13) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, trust, partnership,
             108      limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or
             109      governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity.
             110          (14) "Scope of practice" means the extent of the authorization to provide health or
             111      veterinary services granted to a health practitioner by a license issued to the practitioner in the
             112      state in which the principal part of the practitioner's services are rendered, including any
             113      conditions imposed by the licensing authority.
             114          (15) "State" means:
             115          (a) a state of the United States;
             116          (b) the District of Columbia;
             117          (c) Puerto Rico;
             118          (d) the United States Virgin Islands; or


             119          (e) any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
             120          (16) "Veterinary services" shall have the meaning provided for in Subsection
             121      58-28-102 (11).
             122          (17) (a) "Volunteer health practitioner" means a health practitioner who provides health
             123      or veterinary services, whether or not the practitioner receives compensation for those services.
             124          (b) "Volunteer health practitioner" does not include a practitioner who receives
             125      compensation under a preexisting employment relationship with a host entity or affiliate that
             126      requires the practitioner to provide health services in Utah, unless the practitioner is:
             127          (i) not a Utah resident; and
             128          (ii) employed by a disaster relief organization providing services in Utah while an
             129      emergency declaration is in effect.
             130          Section 3. Section 26-49-103 is enacted to read:
             131          26-49-103. Applicability to volunteer health practitioners.
             132          This chapter applies to volunteer health practitioners who:
             133          (1) are registered with a registration system that complies with Section 26-49-202 ; and
             134          (2) provide health or veterinary services in Utah for a host entity while an emergency
             135      declaration is in effect.
             136          Section 4. Section 26-49-201 is enacted to read:
             137     
Part 2. Regulation, Registration, Licensing, and Administrative Sanctions of Volunteer

             138     
Health Practitioners

             139          26-49-201. Regulation of services during emergency.
             140          (1) While an emergency declaration is in effect, the Department of Health or a local
             141      health department may limit, restrict, or otherwise regulate:
             142          (a) the duration of practice by volunteer health practitioners;
             143          (b) the geographical areas in which volunteer health practitioners may practice;
             144          (c) the types of volunteer health practitioners who may practice; and
             145          (d) any other matters necessary to coordinate effectively the provision of health or
             146      veterinary services during the emergency.
             147          (2) An order issued under Subsection (1) takes effect immediately, without prior notice
             148      or comment, and is not a rule within the meaning of Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
             149      Rulemaking Act, or an adjudication with the meaning of Title 63, Chapter 46b, Administrative


             150      Procedures Act.
             151          (3) A host entity that uses volunteer health practitioners to provide health or veterinary
             152      services in Utah shall:
             153          (a) to the extent practicable and in order to provide for the efficient and effective use of
             154      volunteer health practitioners, consult and coordinate its activities with:
             155          (i) the Department of Health;
             156          (ii) local health departments; or
             157          (iii) the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food;
             158          (b) comply with all state and federal laws relating to the management of emergency
             159      health or veterinary services.
             160          Section 5. Section 26-49-202 is enacted to read:
             161          26-49-202. Volunteer health practitioner registration systems.
             162          (1) To qualify as a volunteer health practitioner registration system, the registration
             163      system must:
             164          (a) accept applications for the registration of volunteer health practitioners before or
             165      during an emergency;
             166          (b) include information about the licensure and good standing of health practitioners
             167      that is accessible by authorized persons;
             168          (c) be capable of confirming the accuracy of information concerning whether a health
             169      practitioner is licensed and in good standing before health services or veterinary services are
             170      provided under this chapter; and
             171          (d) meet one of the following conditions:
             172          (i) be an emergency system for advance registration of volunteer health practitioners
             173      established by a state and funded through the United States Department of Health and Human
             174      Services under Section 319I of the Public Health Services Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 247d-7b, as
             175      amended;
             176          (ii) be a local unit consisting of trained and equipped emergency response, public
             177      health, and medical personnel formed under Section 2801 of the Public Health Services Act, 42
             178      U.S.C. Sec. 300hh as amended;
             179          (iii) be operated by a:
             180          (A) disaster relief organization;


             181          (B) licensing board;
             182          (C) national or regional association of licensing boards or health practitioners;
             183          (D) health facility that provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient health-care
             184      services, including tertiary care; or
             185          (E) governmental entity; or
             186          (iv) be designated by the Department of Health as a registration system for purposes of
             187      this chapter.
             188          (2) (a) Subject to Subsection (2)(b), while an emergency declaration is in effect, the
             189      Department of Health, a person authorized to act on behalf of the Department of Health, or a
             190      host entity shall confirm whether a volunteer health practitioner in Utah is registered with a
             191      registration system that complies with Subsection (1).
             192          (b) The confirmation authorized under this Subsection (2) is limited to obtaining the
             193      identity of the practitioner from the system and determining whether the system indicates that
             194      the practitioner is licensed and in good standing.
             195          (3) Upon request of a person authorized under Subsection (2), or a similarly authorized
             196      person in another state, a registration system located in Utah shall notify the person of the
             197      identity of a volunteer health practitioner and whether or not the volunteer health practitioner is
             198      licensed and in good standing.
             199          (4) A host entity is not required to use the services of a volunteer health practitioner
             200      even if the volunteer health practitioner is registered with a registration system that indicates
             201      that the practitioner is licensed and in good standing.
             202          Section 6. Section 26-49-203 is enacted to read:
             203          26-49-203. Recognition of volunteer health practitioners licensed in other states.
             204          (1) While an emergency declaration is in effect, a volunteer health practitioner
             205      registered with a registration system that complies with Section 26-49-202 and licensed and in
             206      good standing in the state upon which the practitioner's registration is based:
             207          (a) may practice in Utah to the extent authorized by this chapter as if the practitioner
             208      were licensed in Utah; and
             209          (b) is exempt from:
             210          (i) licensure in Utah; or
             211          (ii) operating under modified scope of practice provisions in accordance with


             212      Subsections 58-1-307 (4) and (5).
             213          (2) A volunteer health practitioner qualified under Subsection (1) is not entitled to the
             214      protections of this chapter if the practitioner is licensed in more than one state and any license
             215      of the practitioner:
             216          (a) is suspended, revoked, or subject to an agency order limiting or restricting practice
             217      privileges; or
             218          (b) has been voluntarily terminated under threat of sanction.
             219          Section 7. Section 26-49-204 is enacted to read:
             220          26-49-204. No effect on credentialing and privileging.
             221          (1) For purposes of this section:
             222          (a) "Credentialing" means obtaining, verifying, and assessing the qualifications of a
             223      health practitioner to provide treatment, care, or services.
             224          (b) "Privileging" means the authorizing by an appropriate authority of a health
             225      practitioner to provide specific treatment, care, or services at a health facility subject to limits
             226      based on factors that include license, education, training, experience, competence, health status,
             227      and specialized skill.
             228          (2) This chapter does not affect credentialing or privileging standards of a health
             229      facility, and does not preclude a health facility from waiving or modifying those standards
             230      while an emergency declaration is in effect.
             231          Section 8. Section 26-49-205 is enacted to read:
             232          26-49-205. Provision of volunteer health or veterinary services -- Administrative
             233      sanctions -- Authority of Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
             234          (1) Subject to Subsections (2) and (3), a volunteer health practitioner shall comply with
             235      the scope of practice for a similarly licensed practitioner established by the licensing
             236      provisions, practice acts, or other Utah laws.
             237          (2) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (3), this chapter does not authorize a
             238      volunteer health practitioner to provide services that are outside the volunteer health
             239      practitioner's scope of practice, even if a similarly licensed practitioner in Utah would be
             240      permitted to provide the services.
             241          (3) (a) In accordance with this section and Section 58-1-405 , the Division of
             242      Occupational and Professional Licensing may issue an order modifying or restricting the health


             243      or veterinary services that volunteer health practitioners may provide pursuant to this chapter.
             244          (b) An order under this subsection takes effect immediately, without prior notice or
             245      comment, and is not a rule within the meaning of Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
             246      Rulemaking Act, or a directive within the meaning of Title 63, Chapter 46b, Administrative
             247      Procedures Act.
             248          (4) A host entity may restrict the health or veterinary services that a volunteer health
             249      practitioner may provide under this chapter.
             250          (5) (a) A volunteer health practitioner does not engage in unauthorized practice unless
             251      the volunteer health practitioner has reason to know of any limitation, modification, or
             252      restriction under this chapter, Title 58, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
             253      Act, or that a similarly licensed practitioner in Utah would not be permitted to provide the
             254      services.
             255          (b) A volunteer health practitioner has reason to know of a limitation, modification, or
             256      restriction, or that a similarly licensed practitioner in Utah would not be permitted to provide a
             257      service, if:
             258          (i) the volunteer health practitioner knows the limitation, modification, or restriction
             259      exists or that a similarly licensed practitioner in Utah would not be permitted to provide the
             260      service; or
             261          (ii) from all the facts and circumstances known to the volunteer health practitioner at
             262      the relevant time, a reasonable person would conclude that:
             263          (A) the limitation, modification, or restriction exists; or
             264          (B) a similarly licensed practitioner in Utah would not be permitted to provide the
             265      service.
             266          (6) In addition to the authority granted by law of Utah other than this chapter to
             267      regulate the conduct of volunteer health practitioners, the Division of Occupational and
             268      Professional Licensing Act or other disciplinary authority in Utah:
             269          (a) may impose administrative sanctions upon a volunteer health practitioner licensed
             270      in Utah for conduct outside of Utah in response to an out-of-state emergency;
             271          (b) may impose administrative sanctions upon a volunteer health practitioner not
             272      licensed in Utah for conduct in Utah in response to an in-state emergency; and
             273          (c) shall report any administrative sanctions imposed upon a volunteer health


             274      practitioner licensed in another state to the appropriate licensing board or other disciplinary
             275      authority in any other state in which the volunteer health practitioner is known to be licensed.
             276          (7) In determining whether or not to impose administrative sanctions under Subsection
             277      (6), the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Act or other disciplinary authority
             278      shall consider the circumstances in which the conduct took place, including:
             279          (a) any exigent circumstances; and
             280          (b) the volunteer health practitioner's scope of practice, education, training, experience,
             281      and specialized skill.
             282          Section 9. Section 26-49-301 is enacted to read:
             283     
Part 3. Relation to Other Laws

             284          26-49-301. Relation to other laws.
             285          (1) (a) This chapter does not limit rights, privileges, or immunities provided to
             286      volunteer health practitioners by laws other than this chapter.
             287          (b) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (2), this chapter does not affect
             288      requirements for the use of health practitioners pursuant to Title 53, Chapter 2, Part 2,
             289      Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
             290          (2) An authorized representative of a party state may incorporate volunteer health
             291      practitioners into the emergency forces of Utah even if those volunteer health practitioners are
             292      not officers or employees of Utah, a political subdivision of Utah, or a municipality or other
             293      local government within Utah.
             294          Section 10. Section 26-49-401 is enacted to read:
             295     
Part 4. Regulatory Authority

             296          26-49-401. Regulatory authority.
             297          (1) The Department of Health shall make rules by following the procedures and
             298      requirements of Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             299          (2) Before adopting rules under Subsection (1), the Department of Health shall consult
             300      and consider:
             301          (a) the recommendations of the entity established to coordinate the implementation of
             302      the Emergency Management Assistance Compact; and
             303          (b) rules adopted by similarly empowered agencies in other states in order to promote
             304      uniformity of application of this chapter and make the emergency response systems in the


             305      various states reasonably compatible.
             306          Section 11. Section 26-49-501 is enacted to read:
             307     
Part 5. Limitations on Civil Liability

             308          26-49-501. Limitations on civil liability for volunteer health practitioners.
             309          Volunteer health practitioners who provide health or veterinary services pursuant to this
             310      chapter are immune from liability and civil damages as set forth in Section 58-13-2 .
             311          Section 12. Section 26-49-601 is enacted to read:
             312     
Part 6. Workers' Compensation Coverage

             313          26-49-601. Workers' compensation coverage.
             314          (1) For purposes of this section, "injury" means a physical or mental injury or disease
             315      for which an employee of Utah who is injured or contracts the disease in the course of the
             316      employee's employment would be entitled to benefits under Title 34A, Chapter 2, Workers'
             317      Compensation Act.
             318          (2) A volunteer health practitioner is considered a state employee for purposes of
             319      receiving workers' compensation medical benefits under Title 34A, Chapter 2, Workers'
             320      Compensation Act, and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             321          (3) The state shall provide workers' compensation benefits for a volunteer health
             322      practitioner under:
             323          (a) Title 34A, Chapter 2, Workers' Compensation Act; and
             324          (b) Title 34A, Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             325          (4) (a) In accordance with Section 34A-2-105 , the workers' compensation benefits
             326      described in Subsection (3) are the exclusive remedy against the state or an officer, agent, or
             327      employee of the state, for all injuries and occupational diseases resulting from the volunteer
             328      health practitioner's services for the state.
             329          (b) For purposes of Subsection (4)(a), the state is considered the employer of the
             330      volunteer health practitioner.
             331          (5) To compute the workers' compensation benefits for a volunteer health practitioner
             332      described in Subsection (3), the average weekly wage of the volunteer health practitioner shall
             333      be the state's average weekly wage at the time of the emergency that is the basis for the
             334      volunteer health practitioner's workers' compensation claim.
             335          (6) (a) The Labor Commission shall:


             336          (i) adopt rules, enter into agreements with other states, or take other measures to
             337      facilitate the receipt of benefits for injury or death by volunteer health practitioners who reside
             338      in other states; and
             339          (ii) consult with and consider the practices for filing, processing, and paying claims by
             340      agencies with similar authority in other states to promote uniformity of application of this
             341      chapter with other states that enact similar legislation.
             342          (b) The Labor Commission may waive or modify requirements for filing, processing,
             343      and paying claims that unreasonably burden the volunteer health practitioners.
             344          Section 13. Section 26-49-701 is enacted to read:
             345     
Part 7. Uniformity of Application and Construction

             346          26-49-701. Uniformity of application and construction.
             347          In applying and construing this chapter, consideration must be given to the need to
             348      promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
             349          Section 14. Section 58-1-307 is amended to read:
             350           58-1-307. Exemptions from licensure.
             351          (1) Except as otherwise provided by statute or rule, the following individuals may
             352      engage in the practice of their occupation or profession, subject to the stated circumstances and
             353      limitations, without being licensed under this title:
             354          (a) an individual serving in the armed forces of the United States, the United States
             355      Public Health Service, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or other federal
             356      agencies while engaged in activities regulated under this chapter as a part of employment with
             357      that federal agency if the individual holds a valid license to practice a regulated occupation or
             358      profession issued by any other state or jurisdiction recognized by the division;
             359          (b) a student engaged in activities constituting the practice of a regulated occupation or
             360      profession while in training in a recognized school approved by the division to the extent the
             361      activities are supervised by qualified faculty, staff, or designee and the activities are a defined
             362      part of the training program;
             363          (c) an individual engaged in an internship, residency, preceptorship, postceptorship,
             364      fellowship, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training program approved by the division while
             365      under the supervision of qualified individuals;
             366          (d) an individual residing in another state and licensed to practice a regulated


             367      occupation or profession in that state, who is called in for a consultation by an individual
             368      licensed in this state, and the services provided are limited to that consultation;
             369          (e) an individual who is invited by a recognized school, association, society, or other
             370      body approved by the division to conduct a lecture, clinic, or demonstration of the practice of a
             371      regulated occupation or profession if the individual does not establish a place of business or
             372      regularly engage in the practice of the regulated occupation or profession in this state;
             373          (f) an individual licensed under the laws of this state, other than under this title, to
             374      practice or engage in an occupation or profession, while engaged in the lawful, professional,
             375      and competent practice of that occupation or profession;
             376          (g) an individual licensed in a health care profession in another state who performs that
             377      profession while attending to the immediate needs of a patient for a reasonable period during
             378      which the patient is being transported from outside of this state, into this state, or through this
             379      state;
             380          (h) an individual licensed in another state or country who is in this state temporarily to
             381      attend to the needs of an athletic team or group, except that the practitioner may only attend to
             382      the needs of the athletic team or group, including all individuals who travel with the team or
             383      group in any capacity except as a spectator;
             384          (i) an individual licensed and in good standing in another state, who is in this state:
             385          (i) temporarily, under the invitation and control of a sponsoring entity;
             386          (ii) for a reason associated with a special purpose event, based upon needs that may
             387      exceed the ability of this state to address through its licensees, as determined by the division;
             388      and
             389          (iii) for a limited period of time not to exceed the duration of that event, together with
             390      any necessary preparatory and conclusionary periods; and
             391          (j) a law enforcement officer, as defined under Section 53-13-103 , who:
             392          (i) is operating a voice stress analyzer in the course of the officer's full-time
             393      employment with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency;
             394          (ii) has completed the manufacturer's training course and is certified by the
             395      manufacturer to operate that voice stress analyzer; and
             396          (iii) is operating the voice stress analyzer in accordance with Section 58-64-601 ,
             397      regarding deception detection instruments.


             398          (2) (a) A practitioner temporarily in this state who is exempted from licensure under
             399      Subsection (1) shall comply with each requirement of the licensing jurisdiction from which the
             400      practitioner derives authority to practice.
             401          (b) Violation of a limitation imposed by this section constitutes grounds for removal of
             402      exempt status, denial of license, or other disciplinary proceedings.
             403          (3) An individual who is licensed under a specific chapter of this title to practice or
             404      engage in an occupation or profession may engage in the lawful, professional, and competent
             405      practice of that occupation or profession without additional licensure under other chapters of
             406      this title, except as otherwise provided by this title.
             407          (4) Upon the declaration of a national, state, or local emergency, a public health
             408      emergency as defined in Section 26-23b-102 , or a declaration by the President of the United
             409      States or other federal official requesting public health-related activities, the division in
             410      collaboration with the board may:
             411          (a) suspend the requirements for permanent or temporary licensure of individuals who
             412      are licensed in another state. Individuals exempt under this Subsection (4)(a) are exempt from
             413      licensure for the duration of the emergency while engaged in the scope of practice for which
             414      they are licensed in the other state;
             415          (b) modify, under the circumstances described in this Subsection (4) and Subsection
             416      (5), the scope of practice restrictions under this title for individuals who are licensed under this
             417      title as:
             418          (i) a physician under Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or Chapter 68, Utah
             419      Osteopathic Medical Practice Act;
             420          (ii) a nurse under Chapter 31b, Nurse Practice Act, or Chapter 31c, Nurse Licensure
             421      Compact;
             422          (iii) a certified nurse midwife under Chapter 44a, Nurse Midwife Practice Act;
             423          (iv) a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy intern under Chapter 17b,
             424      Pharmacy Practice Act;
             425          (v) a respiratory therapist under Chapter 57, Respiratory Care Practices Act;
             426          (vi) a dentist and dental hygienist under Chapter 69, Dentist and Dental Hygienist
             427      Practice Act; and
             428          (vii) a physician assistant under Chapter 70a, Physician Assistant Act;


             429          (c) suspend the requirements for licensure under this title and modify the scope of
             430      practice in the circumstances described in this Subsection (4) and Subsection (5) for medical
             431      services personnel or paramedics required to be certified under Section 26-8a-302 ;
             432          (d) suspend requirements in Subsections 58-17b-620 (3) through (6) which require
             433      certain prescriptive procedures; [and]
             434          (e) exempt or modify the requirement for licensure of an individual who is activated as
             435      a member of a medical reserve corps during a time of emergency as provided in Section
             436      26A-1-126 [.]; and
             437          (f) exempt or modify the requirement for licensure of an individual who is registered as
             438      a volunteer health practitioner as provided in Title 26, Chapter 49, Uniform Emergency
             439      Volunteer Health Practitioners Act.
             440          (5) Individuals exempt under Subsection (4)(c) and individuals operating under
             441      modified scope of practice provisions under Subsection (4)(b):
             442          (a) are exempt from licensure or subject to modified scope of practice for the duration
             443      of the emergency;
             444          (b) must be engaged in the distribution of medicines or medical devices in response to
             445      the emergency or declaration; and
             446          (c) must be employed by or volunteering for:
             447          (i) a local or state department of health[.]; or
             448          (ii) a host entity as defined in Section 26-49-102 .
             449          Section 15. Section 58-1-405 is enacted to read:
             450          58-1-405. Provisions of volunteer health or veterinary services -- Division
             451      authority.
             452          In accordance with Section 26-49-205 , the division may pursue actions against a
             453      volunteer health practitioner operating under Title 26, Chapter 49, Uniform Emergency
             454      Volunteer Health Practitioners Act.
             455          Section 16. Section 58-13-2 is amended to read:
             456           58-13-2. Emergency care rendered by licensee.
             457          (1) A person licensed under Title 58, Occupations and Professions, to practice as any
             458      of the following health care professionals, who is under no legal duty to respond, and who in
             459      good faith renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency gratuitously and in good faith,


             460      is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions by the person in
             461      rendering the emergency care:
             462          (a) osteopathic physician;
             463          (b) physician and surgeon;
             464          (c) naturopathic physician;
             465          (d) dentist or dental hygienist;
             466          (e) chiropractic physician;
             467          (f) physician assistant;
             468          (g) optometrist;
             469          (h) nurse licensed under Section 58-31b-301 or 58-31c-102 ;
             470          (i) podiatrist;
             471          (j) certified nurse midwife;
             472          (k) respiratory care practitioner;
             473          (l) pharmacist, pharmacy technician, and pharmacy intern; [or]
             474          (m) Direct-entry midwife licensed under Section 58-77-301 [.]; or
             475          (n) veterinarian.
             476          (2) This Subsection (2) applies to a health care [professionals] professional:
             477          (a) (i) described in Subsection (1); and
             478          (ii) who [are] is under no legal duty to respond to the circumstances described in
             479      Subsection (3); [or]
             480          (b) who [are] is:
             481          (i) activated as a member of a medical reserve corps as described in Section 26A-1-126
             482      during the time of an emergency as provided in Section 26A-1-126 ; [and]
             483          [(c) (i) who are] (ii) acting within the scope of:
             484          (A) the health care professional's license[,]; or [within the scope of]
             485          (B) practice as modified under Subsection 58-1-307 (4) or Section 26A-1-126 ; and
             486          [(ii) who are] (iii) acting in good faith without compensation or remuneration as
             487      defined in Subsection 58-13-3 (2)[.]; or
             488          (c) who is acting as a volunteer health practitioner under Title 26, Chapter 49, Uniform
             489      Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act.
             490          (3) A health care professional described in Subsection (2) is not liable for any civil


             491      damages as a result of any acts or omissions by the health care professional in rendering care as
             492      a result of:
             493          (a) implementation of measures to control the causes of epidemic and communicable
             494      diseases and other conditions significantly affecting the public health or necessary to protect
             495      the public health as set out in Title 26A, Chapter 1, Local Health Departments;
             496          (b) investigating and controlling suspected bioterrorism and disease as set out in Title
             497      26, Chapter 23b, Detection of Public Health Emergencies Act; and
             498          (c) responding to a national, state, or local emergency, a public health emergency as
             499      defined in Section 26-23b-102 , or a declaration by the President of the United States or other
             500      federal official requesting public health-related activities.
             501          (4) The immunity in Subsection (3) is in addition to any immunity or protection in state
             502      or federal law that may apply.
             503          (5) For purposes of Subsection (2)[(c)(ii)] (b)(iii) remuneration does not include:
             504          (a) food supplied to the volunteer;
             505          (b) clothing supplied to the volunteer to help identify the volunteer during the time of
             506      the emergency; or
             507          (c) other similar support for the volunteer.
             508          Section 17. Effective date.
             509          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]