HB 2251 Summary

• Authorizes emergency medical services personnel licensed under section 453-31 to draw blood for alcohol and drug testing in OVUII (Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant) investigations.

• Adds EMS personnel to the list of qualified persons who may withdraw blood specimens under section 291E-12, alongside physicians, nurses, phlebotomists, and clinical laboratory personnel.

• Allows blood draws to occur at the scene of a vehicle accident when requested by a police officer, enabling faster testing to capture accurate blood alcohol content before body metabolism reduces it.

• Requires health care providers employed by emergency ambulance services to notify law enforcement officers of positive test results for alcohol or drug content discovered during medical treatment of accident victims.

• Takes effect July 1, 2018.