HB 1897 Summary

• Expands who may perform venous blood draws for criminal alcohol or drug testing from only physicians to any person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to perform venous blood draws when a person consents or a warrant/court order is issued.

• Maintains restriction that blood draws based on exigent circumstances may only be performed by a physician or licensed nurse.

• Grants criminal liability immunity to any person licensed, certified, or authorized to perform venous blood draws and their employers when drawing blood at law enforcement request under this chapter, unless the person is negligent.

• Grants civil and regulatory liability immunity to qualified persons performing venous blood draws and their employers at law enforcement request, unless the person is negligent, and this immunity is not conditioned on consent, probable cause, warrant, or court order.

• Clarifies that limitations on who may draw blood do not apply to breath, saliva, or urine specimen collection.