HF 605 (LSB 2434YH (2) 87)

HOUSE FILE 605

BY  BRECKENRIDGE

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to consideration of an emergency medical services medical director as a state employee under the volunteer health care provider program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 135.24, subsection 7, paragraph d, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:
   d.  “Health care provider” means a physician licensed under chapter 148, a chiropractor licensed under chapter 151, a physical therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 148A, an occupational therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 148B, a podiatrist licensed pursuant to chapter 149, a physician assistant licensed and practicing under a supervising physician pursuant to chapter 148C, a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed pursuant to chapter 152 or 152E, a respiratory therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 152B, a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant registered or licensed to practice under chapter 153, an optometrist licensed pursuant to chapter 154, a psychologist licensed pursuant to chapter 154B, a social worker licensed pursuant to chapter 154C, a mental health counselor or a marital and family therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 154D, a speech pathologist or audiologist licensed pursuant to chapter 154F, a pharmacist licensed pursuant to chapter 155A, an emergency medical services medical director as defined in section 147A.1 who receives no compensation for the performance of the director’s volunteer duties under chapter 147A, or an emergency medical care provider certified pursuant to chapter 147A.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill provides that an emergency medical services medical director who receives no compensation for the performance of the director’s volunteer duties, is not only considered a state volunteer while performing volunteer duties as an emergency medical services director under Code chapter 147A (emergency medical care —— trauma care), but is also considered a health care provider and an employee of the state under Code section 135.24 (volunteer health care provider program) and thereby afforded protection as an employee of the state including being defended by the state and indemnified and not personally subject to payment of claims arising out of the free care provided under the volunteer health care provider program, if the director complies with the requirements of the program.