HB 21-1251

Abstract

When a peace officer is present at the scene of an emergency, an emergency medical service provider (EMS provider) authorized to administer ketamine in a prehospital setting shall only administer ketamine if the EMS provider has:Weighed the individual to ensure accurate dosage or estimated the individual's weight with the agreement of at least 2 personnel trained in weight assessment if the EMS provider is unable to weigh the individual; Training in the administration of ketamine; Training in advanced airway support; Equipment available to manage respiratory depression; and Equipment available to immediately monitor the vital signs of the individual receiving ketamine and the ability to respond to any adverse reactions. An EMS provider who administers ketamine shall provide urgent transport to the individual receiving ketamine and record any complications arising out of such administration. Absent a justifiable medical emergency, an EMS provider shall not administer ketamine in a prehospital setting to subdue, sedate, or chemically incapacitate an individual for alleged or suspected criminal, delinquent, or suspicious conduct. Any noncompliance by an EMS provider is considered misconduct.The act prohibits a peace officer from using, directing, or unduly influencing the use of ketamine upon another person and from compelling, directing, or unduly influencing an EMS provider to administer ketamine. A peace officer who is also certified as an EMS provider may administer ketamine when the decision is based on the EMS provider's training and expertise.An EMS provider shall confidentially report a peace officer's violation to the peace officers standards and training board (P.O.S.T. board) within 10 days of the occurrence, and a peace officer shall not retaliate in any way against an EMS provider for reporting the incident. Upon receipt of the report, the P.O.S.T. board shall submit the report to the peace officer's employing agency, which shall conduct an internal investigation of the alleged violation and transmit the findings to the P.O.S.T. board. If the findings are substantiated, the peace officer's certification is subject to revocation.A peace officer shall not unduly influence an EMS provider's medical decision or diagnosis, and an EMS provider shall not base its medical decision exclusively on information provided by a peace officer; except that a peace officer may provide critical medical information or any other pertinent information about the individual or the scene of the emergency that may assist the EMS provider's assessment of the need to administer ketamine. When a peace officer directs a person to assist the peace officer, the person is prohibited from administering ketamine.The act requires a peace officer who witnesses another peace officer use ketamine in pursuance of the peace officer's duties to report such use to the P.O.S.T. board. The report must be in writing and made within 10 days of the occurrence of the use of ketamine. Any peace officer who fails to report use of ketamine commits a class 1 misdemeanor. Upon receipt of the report, the P.O.S.T. board shall submit the report to the peace officer's employing agency, which shall conduct an internal investigation of the alleged violation and transmit the findings to the P.O.S.T. board. If the findings are substantiated, the peace officer's certification is subject to revocation.The act requires a peace officer to intervene, without regard for chain of command, to prevent or stop another peace officer from using ketamine in pursuance of the other peace officer's duties. A peace officer who intervenes shall report the intervention to the peace officer's immediate supervisor. A member of a law enforcement agency shall not discipline or retaliate in any way against a peace officer for intervening. Any peace officer who fails to intervene commits a class 1 misdemeanor, and the officer's certification is subject to revocation.The act changes the structure of the emergency medical practice advisory council (advisory council) by adding an anesthesiologist and a clinical psychiatrist. The act requires the advisory council to submit a report to the general assembly any time the advisory council advises or recommends authorizing the administration of any new chemical restraints.Beginning January 1, 2022, and each January 1 thereafter, the department of public health and environment (department) shall submit an annual report on the statewide use of ketamine by EMS providers and any complications that arise out of such use to the general assembly. The department shall make the report available on the department's website.The act appropriates $132,488 to the department of public health and environment for use by the health facilities and emergency medical services division to implement the act.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)