Bill Text - HB493 (2010)

Adopting the uniform emergency volunteer health practitioners act.


Revision: Dec. 10, 2009, midnight

HB 493 – AS INTRODUCED

2009 SESSION

09-0563

08/05

HOUSE BILL 493

AN ACT adopting the uniform emergency volunteer health practitioners act.

SPONSORS: Rep. Harding, Graf 11; Rep. Houde-Quimby, Sull 1; Rep. DeJoie, Merr 11; Rep. Hunt, Ches 7; Sen. Gilmour, Dist 12

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill adopts the uniform emergency volunteer health practitioners act.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

09-0563

08/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine

AN ACT adopting the uniform emergency volunteer health practitioners act.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Chapter; Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 329-A the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 329-B

UNIFORM EMERGENCY VOLUNTEER HEALTH PRACTITIONERS ACT

329-B:1 Short Title. This act may be cited as the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act.

329-B:2 Definitions. In this chapter:

I. “Disaster relief organization” means an entity that provides emergency or disaster relief services that include health or veterinary services provided by volunteer health practitioners and that:

(a) Is designated or recognized as a provider of those services pursuant to a disaster response and recovery plan adopted by an agency of the federal government or the department of safety, division of homeland security and emergency management; or

(b) Regularly plans and conducts its activities in coordination with an agency of the federal government or the department of safety, division of homeland security and emergency management.

II. “Emergency declaration” means a declaration of emergency issued by the governor under RSA 4:45.

III. “Health facility” means an entity licensed under the laws of this or another state to provide health or veterinary services.

IV. “Health practitioner” means an individual licensed under the laws of this or another state to provide health or veterinary services.

V. “Health services” means the provision of treatment, care, advice or guidance, or other services, or supplies, related to the health or death of individuals or human populations, to the extent necessary to respond to an emergency, including:

(a) The following, concerning the physical or mental condition or functional status of an individual or affecting the structure or function of the body:

(1) Preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance, or palliative care.

(2) Counseling, assessment, procedures, or other services.

(b) Sale or dispensing of a drug, a device, equipment, or another item to an individual in accordance with a prescription.

(c) Funeral, cremation, cemetery, or other mortuary services.

VI. “Host entity” means an entity operating in this state which uses volunteer health practitioners to respond to an emergency.

VII. “License” means authorization by a state to engage in health or veterinary services that are unlawful without the authorization. The term includes authorization under the laws of this state to an individual to provide health or veterinary services based upon a national certification issued by a public or private entity.

VIII. “Scope of practice” means the extent of the authorization to provide health or veterinary services granted to a health practitioner by a license issued to the practitioner in the state in which the principal part of the practitioner’s services are rendered, including any conditions imposed by the licensing authority.

IX. “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes a foreign country or political subdivision that has enacted a law or established procedures for mutual or reciprocal emergency assistance with New Hampshire.

X. “Veterinary services” means the provision of treatment, care, advice or guidance, or other services, or supplies, related to the health or death of an animal or to animal populations, to the extent necessary to respond to an emergency, including:

(a) Diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of an animal disease, injury, or other physical or mental condition by the prescription, administration, or dispensing of vaccine, medicine, surgery, or therapy;

(b) Use of a procedure for reproductive management; and

(c) Monitoring and treatment of animal populations for diseases that have spread or demonstrate the potential to spread to humans.

XI. “Volunteer health practitioner” means a health practitioner who provides health or veterinary services, whether or not the practitioner receives compensation for those services. The term shall not include a practitioner who receives compensation pursuant to a preexisting employment relationship with a host entity or affiliate which requires the practitioner to provide health services in this state, unless the practitioner is not a resident of this state and is employed by a disaster relief organization providing services in this state while an emergency declaration is in effect.

329-B:3 Applicability to Volunteer Health Practitioners. This chapter applies to volunteer health practitioners registered with a registration system that complies with RSA 329-B:5 and who provide health or veterinary services in this state for a host entity while an emergency declaration is in effect.

329-B:4 Regulation of Services During Emergency.

I. While an emergency declaration is in effect the director of homeland security and emergency management may limit, restrict, or otherwise regulate:

(a) The duration of practice by volunteer health practitioners;

(b) The geographical areas in which volunteer health practitioners may practice;

(c) The types of volunteer health practitioners who may practice; and

(d) Any other matters necessary to coordinate effectively the provision of health or veterinary services during the emergency.

II. An order issued pursuant to paragraph I may take effect immediately, without prior notice or comment, and is not a rule within the meaning of RSA 541-A.

III. A host entity that uses volunteer health practitioners to provide health or veterinary services in this state shall:

(a) Consult and coordinate its activities with the director of homeland security and emergency to the extent practicable to provide for the efficient and effective use of volunteer health practitioners; and

(b) Comply with any laws other than this chapter relating to the management of emergency health or veterinary services.

329-B:5 Volunteer Health Practitioner Registration Systems.

I. To qualify as a volunteer health practitioner registration system, a system shall:

(a) Accept applications for the registration of volunteer health practitioners before or during an emergency;

(b) Include information about the licensure and good standing of health practitioners which is accessible by authorized persons;

(c) Be capable of confirming the accuracy of information concerning whether a health practitioner is licensed and in good standing before health services or veterinary services are provided under this chapter; and

(d) Meet one of the following conditions:

(1) Be an emergency system for advance registration of volunteer health-care practitioners established by a state and funded through the Department of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. section 247d-7b;

(2) Be a local unit consisting of trained and equipped emergency response, public health, and medical personnel formed pursuant to section 2801 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. section 300hh;

(3) Be operated by a:

(A) Disaster relief organization;

(B) Licensing board;

(C) National or regional association of licensing boards or health practitioners;

(D) Health facility that provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient health-care services, including a tertiary care and teaching hospital; or

(E) Governmental entity; or

(4) Be designated by the director of homeland security and emergency management as a registration system for purposes of this chapter.

II. While an emergency declaration is in effect, the director of homeland security and emergency management or a designated agent, or a host entity, may confirm whether volunteer health practitioners utilized in this state are registered with a registration system that complies with paragraph I. Confirmation is limited to obtaining identities of the practitioners from the system and determining whether the system indicates that the practitioners are licensed and in good standing.

III. Upon request of a person in this state authorized under paragraph II, or a similarly authorized person in another state, a registration system located in this state shall notify the person of the identities of volunteer health practitioners and whether the practitioners are licensed and in good standing.

IV. A host entity shall not be required to use the services of a volunteer health practitioner even if the practitioner is registered with a registration system that indicates that the practitioner is licensed and in good standing.

329-B:6 Recognition of Volunteer Health Practitioners Licensed in Other States.

I. While an emergency declaration is in effect, a volunteer health practitioner, registered with a registration system that complies with RSA 329-B:5 and licensed and in good standing in the state upon which the practitioner’s registration is based, may practice in this state to the extent authorized by this chapter as if the practitioner were licensed in this state.

II. A volunteer health practitioner qualified under paragraph I shall not be entitled to the protections of this chapter if the practitioner is licensed in more than one state and any license of the practitioner is suspended, revoked, or subject to an agency order limiting or restricting practice privileges, or has been voluntarily terminated under threat of sanction.

329-B:7 No Effect on Credentialing and Privileging.

I. In this section:

(a) “Credentialing” means obtaining, verifying, and assessing the qualifications of a health practitioner to provide treatment, care, or services in or for a health facility.

(b) “Privileging” means the authorizing by an appropriate authority, such as a governing body, of a health practitioner to provide specific treatment, care, or services at a health facility subject to limits based on factors that include license, education, training, experience, competence, health status, and specialized skill.

II. This chapter shall not affect credentialing or privileging standards of a health facility and shall not preclude a health facility from waiving or modifying those standards while an emergency declaration is in effect.

329-B:8 Provision of Volunteer Health or Veterinary Services; Administrative Sanctions.

I. Subject to paragraphs II and III, a volunteer health practitioner shall adhere to the scope of practice for a similarly licensed practitioner established by the licensing provisions, practice acts, or other laws of this state.

II. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph III, this chapter shall not authorize a volunteer health practitioner to provide services that are outside the practitioner’s scope of practice, even if a similarly licensed practitioner in this state would be permitted to provide the services.

III. The director of homeland security and emergency management may modify or restrict the health or veterinary services that volunteer health practitioners may provide pursuant to this chapter. An order under this section may take effect immediately, without prior notice or comment, and is not a rule within the meaning of RSA 541-A.

IV. A host entity may restrict the health or veterinary services that a volunteer health practitioner may provide pursuant to this chapter.

V. A volunteer health practitioner shall not engage in unauthorized practice unless the practitioner has reason to know of any limitation, modification, or restriction under this section or that a similarly licensed practitioner in this state would not be permitted to provide the services. A volunteer health practitioner has reason to know of a limitation, modification, or restriction or that a similarly licensed practitioner in this state would not be permitted to provide a service if:

(a) The practitioner knows the limitation, modification, or restriction exists or that a similarly licensed practitioner in this state would not be permitted to provide the service; or

(b) From all the facts and circumstances known to the practitioner at the relevant time, a reasonable person would conclude that the limitation, modification, or restriction exists or that a similarly licensed practitioner in this state would not be permitted to provide the service.

VI. In addition to the authority granted by law of this state other than this chapter to regulate the conduct of health practitioners, a licensing board or other disciplinary authority in this state:

(a) May impose administrative sanctions upon a health practitioner licensed in this state for conduct outside of this state in response to an out-of-state emergency;

(b) May impose administrative sanctions upon a practitioner not licensed in this state for conduct in this state in response to an in-state emergency; and

(c) Shall report any administrative sanctions imposed upon a practitioner licensed in another state to the appropriate licensing board or other disciplinary authority in any other state in which the practitioner is known to be licensed.

VII. In determining whether to impose administrative sanctions under paragraph VI, a licensing board or other disciplinary authority shall consider the circumstances in which the conduct took place, including any exigent circumstances, and the practitioner’s scope of practice, education, training, experience, and specialized skill.

329-B:9 Relation to Other Laws.

I. This chapter does not limit rights, privileges, or immunities provided to volunteer health practitioners by laws other than this chapter. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph II, this chapter does not affect requirements for the use of health practitioners pursuant to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

II. The department of safety, pursuant to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, may incorporate into the emergency forces of this state volunteer health practitioners who are not officers or employees of this state, a political subdivision of this state, or a municipality or other local government within this state.

329-B:10 Regulatory Authority. The commissioner of the department of safety may adopt rules under RSA 541-A to implement this chapter. In doing so, the commissioner of public safety shall consult with and consider the recommendations of the entity established to coordinate the implementation of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, the board of medicine, the board of veterinary medicine, and the director of homeland security and emergency management, and shall also consult with and consider rules promulgated by similarly empowered agencies in other states to promote uniformity of application of this chapter and make the emergency response systems in the various states reasonably compatible.

329-B:11 Limitations on Civil Liability for Volunteer Health Practitioners.

I. Subject to paragraph III, a volunteer health practitioner who provides health or veterinary services pursuant to this chapter is not liable for damages for an act or omission of the practitioner in providing those services.

II. No person is vicariously liable for damages for an act or omission of a volunteer health practitioner if the practitioner is not liable for the damages under paragraph I.

III. This section does not limit the liability of a volunteer health practitioner for:

(a) Willful misconduct or wanton, grossly negligent, reckless, or criminal conduct;

(b) An intentional tort;

(c) Breach of contract;

(d) A claim asserted by a host entity or by an entity located in this or another state which employs or uses the services of the practitioner; or

(e) An act or omission relating to the operation of a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle.

IV. A person that, pursuant to this chapter, operates, uses, or relies upon information provided by a volunteer health practitioner registration system is not liable for damages for an act or omission relating to that operation, use, or reliance unless the act or omission is an intentional tort or is willful misconduct or wanton, grossly negligent, reckless, or criminal conduct.

329-B:12 Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

I. In this section, “injury” means a physical or mental injury or disease for which an employee of this state who is injured or contracts the disease in the course of the employee’s employment would be entitled to benefits under the workers’ compensation law of this state.

II. A volunteer health practitioner who dies or is injured as the result of providing health or veterinary services pursuant to this chapter is deemed to be an employee of this state for the purpose of receiving benefits for the death or injury under the workers’ compensation law of this state if:

(a) The practitioner is not otherwise eligible for such benefits for the injury or death under the law of this or another state; and

(b) The practitioner, or in the case of death the practitioner’s personal representative, elects coverage under RSA 281-A by making a claim under that law.

III. The commissioner of the department of labor shall adopt rules, enter into agreements with other states, or take other measures to facilitate the receipt of benefits for injury or death under RSA 281-A by volunteer health practitioners who reside in other states, and may waive or modify requirements for filing, processing, and paying claims that unreasonably burden the practitioners. To promote uniformity of application of this chapter with other states that enact similar legislation, the commissioner of the department of labor shall consult with and consider the practices for filing, processing, and paying claims by agencies with similar authority in other states.

329-B:13 Uniformity of Application and Construction. In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.