Date: 02/25/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB14-039

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, INSURANCE, & ENVIRONMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 14-039 to the Committee of the WPASS



10:47 AM -- SB14-039

Representatives McCann and Court presented Senate Bill 14-039. The bill permits emergency medical service (EMS) providers responding to the scene of an emergency to voluntarily deliver preveterinary care to domesticated dogs and cats, at the discretion of their employer. Preveterinary emergency care is defined as care to stabilize a domesticated dog or cat until the animal can obtain veterinary care and does not include response to an emergency call made solely to tend to an injured dog or cat, unless a person's life could be in danger. Employers who allow employees to administer preveterinary care must provide sufficient training and guidelines. The bill does not impose any legal obligation on EMS providers to administer preveterinary care or to provide care to a dog or cat before a person.

10:50 AM

The committee discussed the bill. Representative McCann responded to a question about whether an ambulance could be dispatched solely to provide preveterinary care.

10:52 AM -- Dr. Apryl Steele, representing the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, testified in support of the bill. She provided a handout (Attachment A). She discussed the background of the bill and the training that would occur for EMS providers providing preveterinary care.

140225AttachA.pdf140225AttachA.pdf

10:54 AM -- Howard Paul, representing the EMS Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He stated that the bill allows emergency response agencies to choose to provide preveterinary services and that there is not a statewide mandate. Mr. Paul stated the bill will not effect the prioritization of the care of humans.

10:58 AM -- Mark Simon, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He stated that, as the retired assistant fire chief from the Golden Gate Fire Department, he knows emergency service personnel have concerns about rendering aid to animals when on the scene of accident.

11:00 AM

Representative McCann responded to questions about the ability of emergency response agencies to choose to provide preveterinary services and how the public would know if a particular agency provides preveterinary care.

BILL:SB14-039
TIME: 11:01:24 AM
MOVED:McCann
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 14-039 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0, with one member excused.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Fields
Yes
Ginal
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Joshi
Yes
Landgraf
Excused
McNulty
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Singer
Yes
Swalm
Yes
Schafer
Yes
McCann
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS