REFERENCE TITLE: epinephrine injections; first responders; immunity |
State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session 2020
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HB 2831 |
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Introduced by Representative Bowers
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AN ACT
Amending title 36, chapter 21.1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 36‑2226.02; relating to emergency medical services.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 36, chapter 21.1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 36-2226.02, to read:
36-2226.02. Administration of epinephrine; immunity; definitions
A. Pursuant to a standing order issued by a physician licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 or a nurse practitioner licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 and authorized by law to prescribe drugs, a first responder who is trained in administering epinephrine injections may administer an epinephrine injection to a person who the first responder believes in good faith is experiencing anaphylaxis.
B. Physicians who are licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13 or 17 and who issue a standing order, nurse practitioners who are licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 15 and authorized by law to prescribe drugs and who issue a standing order and first responders who administer epinephrine injections pursuant to this section are immune from professional liability and criminal prosecution for any decision made, act or omission or injury that results from that act if the person acts with reasonable care and in good faith, except in cases of wanton or wilful neglect. This section does not create a duty to act or standard of care for a first responder to administer an epinephrine injection.
C. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Ambulance attendant" means either of the following:
(a) An emergency medical technician, an advanced emergency medical technician, an emergency medical technician I‑99 or a paramedic whose primary responsibility is the care of patients in an ambulance and who meets the standards and criteria adopted pursuant to section 36‑2204.
(b) An emergency medical responder who is employed by an ambulance service operating under section 36‑2202 and whose primary responsibility is the driving of an ambulance.
2. "First responder" means a law enforcement officer, a firefighter or an ambulance attendant.