Bill description: HB 392 limits the liability of volunteer health care providers and supervised students.

Rating: +1

Does it increase barriers to entry into the market? Examples include occupational licensure, the minimum wage, and restrictions on home businesses. Conversely, does it remove barriers to entry into the market?

Current Idaho law offers limited liability to volunteer physicians, dentists, optometrists, physician assistants and nurses. HB 392 expands the limited liability to other health care providers who are licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized to practice in Idaho. It also extends this limited liability to health care students who are providing volunteer care while under the direct supervision of a health care provider. If someone providing care is a student, the patient must be notified of that fact.

The changes called for by this legislation will remove barriers to health care providers and health care students volunteering their services at free medical clinics and community health screening events. Volunteers acting in good faith should not be subject to lawsuits or criminal penalties for honest mistakes.

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