Bill No.: SF0036                  Drafter:  JWL

LSO No.:  08LSO-0112              Effective Date:  7/1/2008

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0027

Chapter No.:

Prime Sponsor:     Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee

Catch Title:       Public health emergencies-volunteers.

Subject:  Clarifies immunity and provides for temporary health care licenses during a public health emergency.

Summary/Major Elements:

· Current law at W.S. 35-4-114 provides immunity from liability for any person who, during a public health emergency, in good faith follows the instructions of the state health officer in responding to the public health emergency.

· This act:

·   Specifies that the immunity applies to health care providers who are retired, who have an inactive license or who are licensed in another state while performing as a volunteer during a declared public health emergency;

· Requires health care provider licensing boards to adopt rules and regulations for the issuance of temporary practice licenses to volunteers during a declared public health emergency;

· Authorizes the state health officer to issue temporary practice licenses during a declared public health emergency, pending action by the appropriate licensing boards.