HB21-1251 Summary

• Defines "justifiable medical emergency" for ketamine administration in prehospital settings, excluding excited delirium and unrecognized psychiatric diagnoses from this definition.

• Requires emergency medical service providers administering ketamine when a peace officer is present to weigh the individual, obtain medical director authorization, and have training in airway support, respiratory management, and vital sign monitoring.

• Prohibits peace officers from using, directing, or unduly influencing the administration of ketamine; requires emergency medical service providers to report violations to the P.O.S.T. board within 10 days and protects them from retaliation.

• Establishes duties for peace officers to intervene to prevent unlawful ketamine use by other officers, report violations, and prohibits retaliation; failure to intervene is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

• Mandates the P.O.S.T. board permanently revoke certification for officers violating ketamine restrictions if death results, or suspend for at least one year if no death occurs; appropriates $132,488 for implementation.