Bill > S4544

Introduced Session

This bill, to be known as the "Gary Letizia Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion Act," would allow emergency medical services (EMS) providers to establish a blood transfusion program. An EMS provider would have to notify the Department of Health (department) at least 60 days in advance of its intent to begin such a program. The EMS provider, in establishing the program, would need to:· designate a licensed physician specializing in trauma or emergency medicine, or Emergency Medical Services as the medical director of the program;· utilize only paramedics who have completed a blood administration course approved by the department;· ensure the presence of at least two trained emergency medical services personnel during the administration of blood products; and· maintain proper blood storage and warming equipment, including transport coolers. All blood product storage, warming and other equipment must be those approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, if applicable. Additionally, the EMS provider would need to:· conduct quarterly audits of pre-hospital blood transfusions; · submit an annual report to the department with detailed outcomes and protocol compliance; and · implement protocols for recognizing and managing transfusion reactions. Once the program is established, a licensed paramedic would be authorized, with medical oversight, to administer blood products to a patient in a pre-hospital setting under certain conditions. Reimbursement rates for pre-hospital blood transfusions would be at rates equivalent to hospital-based transfusions. Additionally, the department would establish a grant program to assist EMS providers with the initial cost of implementation of the blood transfusion program. The department would work with blood banks and hospitals to ensure an adequate supply of low-titer O whole blood is available for EMS use and develop a Statewide blood rotation system to prevent the expiration and waste of blood products. The "Gary Letizia Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion Act" is named in honor of Gary Letizia, whose life was extended by timely blood transfusions. His family's enduring commitment to raising awareness about the life-saving power of transfusion in partnership with first responders continues to inspire this vital initiative.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Kristin Corrado (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 06/02/2025)

Official Document