bill requiring picture boards in every ambulance

The text as introduced · 485 words

90R4239 KRM-D

By: Rehmet
S.B. No. 257

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the required provision of visual communication

equipment to emergency medical services personnel.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as "Elliott's Law."

SECTION 2. Section 773.05716(a), Health and Safety Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) An emergency medical services provider must own or hold

a long-term lease for all equipment necessary for the safe

operation of an emergency medical services provider, including

emergency medical services vehicles, heart rate monitors,

defibrillators, stretchers, visual communication equipment

described by Section 773.05717, and any other equipment the

department determines is required.

SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 773, Health and Safety

Code, is amended by adding Section 773.05717 to read as follows:

Sec. 773.05717. REQUIRED VISUAL COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT.

(a) In this section, "person with a communication disorder" means a

person with:

(1) autism; or

(2) another neurodevelopmental disorder that may

impede:

(A) the person's sensory processing during an

interaction with emergency medical services personnel; or

(B) effective communication with emergency

medical services personnel.

(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules requiring

each emergency medical services provider to provide its emergency

medical services personnel with visual communication equipment to

facilitate communication with any:

(1) child who lacks the verbal skills necessary to

communicate effectively during an emergency;

(2) individual who is not fluent in a language spoken

by emergency medical services personnel;

(3) patient experiencing a medical crisis that impedes

the patient's ability to communicate effectively; or

(4) person with a communication disorder.

(c) Visual communication equipment under this section must:

(1) depict a simple diagram of the human body allowing

a patient to point to a corresponding area on the diagram and

indicate where the patient is experiencing pain; and

(2) allow a patient to communicate essential needs and

important information by pointing to a message or picture to:

(A) convey that the patient is a person with a

communication disorder;

(B) request additional time or request that

emergency medical services personnel pause the provision of

emergency medical care;

(C) indicate "yes" or "no" in response to a

question; and

(D) express that the patient is experiencing pain

or requires immediate help.

(d) Visual communication equipment may consist of any

communication device that allows emergency medical services

personnel to communicate effectively with a patient in a timely

manner, including:

(1) a laminated paper sign;

(2) a communication board; or

(3) another similar low-tech tool that allows

emergency medical services personnel to communicate with a patient

in the manner described by this section.

SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human

Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement

Section 773.05717, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.