HB 1998 Summary

• Establishes a tax refund setoff program allowing ambulance service providers to collect unpaid health care bills of $50 or more (unpaid for 90+ days) through state income tax refunds, with patients having appeal and review rights before setoff occurs.

• Creates a "collection assistance fee" of $14 per claim to the state general fund and $17 per claim to a claim clearinghouse entity to recover collection costs.

• Adds traffic violations occurring in active emergency zones as new moving violation point assessments: 4 points for "endangerment of an emergency responder" and 12 points for "aggravated endangerment of an emergency responder" (when injury or death results).

• Establishes enhanced penalties for speeding (250-300 dollars) and passing violations in active emergency zones, and prohibits passing other vehicles within active emergency zones (class C misdemeanor).

• Allows emergency medical technicians licensed under chapter 190 to report to the Department of Revenue when they observe patients with conditions that may prevent safe vehicle operation.