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House approves substitute to allow on-scene blood draws when patient likely to flee, with testing limited by court order
Summary
The House passed first-substitute House Bill 46 to permit medical providers to draw blood at emergency scenes if there is probable cause that a patient may flee; the substitute requires a court order before testing the sample. The bill passed 66–2.
The Utah House on Feb. 1 approved a first-substitute to House Bill 46, a measure that adjusts procedures for disease testing after emergency medical responses. The substitute passed the House 66–2 and will be transmitted to the Senate for further action.
Representative Goodfellow, sponsor of the substitute, described a gap in current law that requires emergency medical providers to secure a court order to obtain and test blood for bloodborne diseases. Goodfellow said that delays to obtain an order can mean the treated individual is gone by the time the order is served, leaving providers uncertain about exposure risks. "What [the substitute] would allow is for a medical provider to take blood at the scene if there is probable cause that that person may flee," Goodfellow said. He emphasized that the substitute retains Department of Health procedures and, unlike the original bill, requires a subsequent court order before testing the drawn blood.
Supporters framed the change as a protection for emergency medical personnel who are exposed during traumatic incidents; opponents raised procedural concerns. The House adopted the first substitute and recorded votes: 66 yes, 2 no. The bill will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
Vote: first substitute House Bill 46 — passed 66 yes, 2 no.
