HB 1458 Summary

• Authorizes trained personnel acting under direction of a physician or under a protocol prepared by a physician, hospital, hospital facility, or laboratory to obtain bodily substance samples and perform chemical tests for criminal investigations.

• Permits physicians, hospitals, hospital facilities, laboratories, and their agents to disclose blood, urine, or bodily substance samples and test results to law enforcement officers without patient consent as part of criminal investigations.

• Provides civil and criminal immunity to physicians, hospitals, hospital facilities, laboratories, and their agents for obtaining samples, performing tests, disclosing results, and testifying in criminal proceedings under this section.

• Suspends patient-physician privilege for samples, test results, and testimony in proceedings under traffic law and drunk driving statutes, allowing admission as evidence under applicable rules of evidence.

• Effective date: July 1, 2011.