Bill > H193

This bill establishes a Board of Registration of Phlebotomists in Massachusetts to regulate individuals who collect blood samples from patients. The board will consist of seven members, including the Commissioner of Public Health or a designee, and six appointed members who are residents and citizens, with most being licensed phlebotomists with significant experience, and one public representative. This board will set requirements for phlebotomist licensure, including education, fees, and continuing education, and will grant licenses to qualified applicants. The bill also amends existing law to include "phlebotomist" in a list of professions that can be included on certain vehicle registrations, and it defines key terms like "phlebotomist" and "phlebotomy," outlining the duties of a phlebotomist as collecting blood samples under physician instruction and preparing them for medical tests. It prohibits anyone from practicing as a phlebotomist without a certificate of registration from the board, and sets forth application requirements, including age, residency, good moral character, national certification, and educational standards. Renewal of licenses will be required every two years, with ongoing certification from an approved national agency and continuing education. The bill also allows for reciprocal licensing from other jurisdictions with equivalent standards and provides a process for appealing the board's decisions to the district court. Importantly, it includes a provision for a one-year period after the bill's effective date where individuals with at least five years of paid professional phlebotomy experience in the last ten years can obtain a license without an examination, with the possibility of waiving educational requirements. Finally, it clarifies that the new regulations do not prevent licensed clinical laboratory scientists, medical technologists, medical laboratory technicians, or physicians from performing their professional duties.