Committee advances bill to extend emergency transport certification during disasters

The Medical Affairs Committee gave a favorable report to Senate Bill 299, a proposal to extend the expiration window for transport certificates used when a physician certifies that a person needs transport for safety or treatment during life‑threatening conditions and natural disasters.

A senator presenting the bill told the committee the measure would extend the certificate period “to three days after conditions are safe for transport” in the event of national disasters so that transfers interrupted by storms or similar events would not require an immediate re‑certification. The sponsor said the bill also permits transport by law enforcement officers not in uniform and, under certain physician‑approved circumstances, transport by family and friends.

The sponsor said the department supports the bill and that one part he favored was allowing third‑party transporters in lieu of uniformed officers when appropriate. Senator concerns focused on civil liability and due process. One senator asked whether family or friends who transport a patient would be granted immunity; the sponsor said the bill includes immunity language and that subsection C explicitly lists law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, certifying physicians and third parties meeting department standards as covered.

Another senator raised a due‑process concern but the sponsor and committee said the bill was intended to accommodate exceptional circumstances such as storms that physically prevent scheduled transports. After discussion, the committee moved the bill to the floor with a favorable committee report.

The committee recorded the action as a voice vote; the transcript does not include a roll‑call tally.