MEDICAL FIRST RESPONDERS:  CLARIFY DEFINITION

House Bill 4659

Sponsor:  Rep. Craig DeRoche

Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 8-22-03

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4659 AS INTRODUCED 5-8-03

         The Public Health Code defines a “medical first responder” as an individual who has met certain educational requirements and who is licensed to provide medical first response life support as part of a medical first response service.  The term also includes the driver of an ambulance that provides basic life support services only.

         The bill would amend the code to clarify that a police officer would not be a medical first responder solely because his or her police vehicle was equipped with a defibrillator. 

         (Note:  Public Act 173 of 1999 expanded the Good Samaritan Law to limit the civil liability of persons who used an automated external defibrillator (AED), as opposed to a defibrillator in general, to render emergency service to another person.)

         MCL 333.20906

Analyst:  S. Stutzky

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.