House considers emergency health response bill to enable pre-event vaccinations and liability protections

Representative Dillery, sponsor of House Bill 160, described the measure as part of Utah’s effort to implement federal bioterrorism preparedness plans after 2002 federal guidance. She said the state had received ‘‘1,500 doses to begin inoculation here in Salt Lake’’ and that the bill would allow local health departments to identify pre-event health workers who voluntarily desire inoculation and to provide limited liability protections under federal frameworks.

The bill’s amendments plug in federal emergency declaration procedures and extend Good Samaritan-type protections to volunteers in a declared emergency, while preserving normal state licensure and scope-of-practice rules except during declared emergencies. Sponsor Dillery emphasized the measure is voluntary: "This is strictly on a voluntary basis," and said the provisions were intended to allow the state to comply with federal guidance and qualify for federal immunity provisions absent gross negligence.

Members questioned whether the bill repealed or replaced reporting provisions and earlier sunset dates from emergency-related legislation passed the previous year. Dillery said the new bill does not remove the prior reporting bill’s sunset; the emergency provisions would apply only during a declared emergency and she was open to adding review language. The health department and the attorney general’s office reportedly participated in drafting to ensure pharmacists and physicians were included.

The Health and Human Services Committee reported a favorable recommendation and asked that the measure be placed on the consent calendar for expedited floor consideration. The transcript concludes with members debating the connection to prior legislation and possible future review; no final floor roll call is recorded in the provided excerpt.