Committee approves substitute to require emergency‑simulation planning and at least one CPR‑trained staffer on duty

The Senate committee reported a substituted version of House Bill 1370 that replaces the term "emergency medical drill" with "emergency medical simulation," removes a requirement that every staff member be CPR‑trained and instead requires at least one employee with CPR training to be on duty at locations where services are delivered. The substitute also clarifies EMT certification meets the training requirement and moves the regulatory deadline for promulgation to Dec. 1.

Sponsor Delegate Mehta said the changes followed discussions with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and aim to make training realistic and implementable. "This would simply provide us a process for medical drills or medical simulations so that staff can incorporate that and be prepared for instances when they do occur," Mehta said, citing a DBL Center study that found some providers had delayed calling 911 or could not provide addresses which hindered emergency care.

Advocates representing providers and disability organizations supported the bill but requested inclusion in the regulatory process. John Salley, executive director of a provider association, said providers serve many people with intellectual disabilities and want to be consulted as DBHDS develops regulations. The committee accepted an amendment adding the phrase "in collaboration with stakeholders" to the regulatory language.

The substitute was reported out of committee after testimony from advocacy and provider groups; the record includes a numeric claim from the Disability Law Center testimony estimating lives saved, which supporters attributed to better emergency responses.

Next steps: the bill advances for further consideration; committee members asked DBHDS and stakeholders to coordinate on regulatory language and implementation details.