HB 398

ON MARCH 30, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 343, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, authorize, as of January 1, 2027, a licensed paramedic to make an actual determination and pronouncement of death. However, the paramedic must have successfully completed training in the determination and pron ouncement of death and have attempted to resuscitate the person in accordance with standards established by the emergency medical services board. A paramedic is prohibited from making an actual determination and pronouncement of death if the patient is i n a hospital when the apparent death occurs. This amendment requires a paramedic to complete a course of instruction on making an actual determination and pronouncement of death. Further, the emergency medical services board is prohibited from issuing a paramedic license to an applicant from anoth er state if such applicant does not provide proof of the successful completion of such a training. ON APRIL 16, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 343 FOR HOUSE BILL 398, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 343, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 incorporates the provisions of Senate Amendment #1 with the following changes: (1) Clarifies that only a paramedic who intends to determine and pronounce death (instead of all paramedics) is required to complete a course of instruction in determining and pronouncing death; (2) Removes the prohibition against licensing applicants from other states who have not been trained to make determinations of death; (3) Requires that a paramedic who determines and pronounces death retain proof of successful completion of the course and make the proof readily available to the board or the board's designee upon request; and (4) Adds that a paramedic who fails to comply with the standards for determining and pronouncing death set may be subject to administrative discipline. ON APRIL 20, 2026, THE SENATE CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #1.