Bill > A4000

Introduced Session

This bill, to be known as the "Gary Letizia Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion Act," would allow advanced life support providers to establish a blood transfusion program. An advanced life 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 advanced life support provider, in establishing the program, would need to:· designate a blood bank medical director as the medical director of the blood transfusion program, who may delegate responsibilities related to emergency medical services (EMS) to an EMS director;· utilize only advanced life support providers who have completed a blood administration course approved by the department; · ensure the presence of at least two trained advanced life support providers 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 advanced life support provider would need to:· conduct quarterly audits of pre-hospital blood transfusions; · submit reports to the department in accordance with the existing daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual cadence of clinical, equipment, and quality reporting standards already in practice; and · implement protocols for recognizing and managing transfusion reactions. Once the program is established, a licensed advanced life support provider 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 advanced life support 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 advanced life support provider use. Additionally, the department would 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

John Azzariti (R)*,  Margie Donlon (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document