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SB 195

HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to the administration of medications. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie Berault and 9 co-sponsors

Allows EMS personnel to administer patient-carried, time-critical meds (intranasal, IV, IM) under director-approved protocols, with broad immunity for follow-best-practice actions.

Effective date 8/1/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 195

Summary: SB 195 (Louisiana, 2026) – The Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act

Purpose and intent

SB 195 seeks to authorize certain licensed EMS practitioners (emergency medical technicians, advanced EMTs, and paramedics) to administer patient-carried, time-critical prescription medications to patients with rare diseases, chronic illnesses, or other special medical needs. The bill establishes a framework for protocols and immunity protections, expanding EMS scope to include specific medications carried by patients in advance of medical crises.

Key provisions

  • Authority and protocols

    • The Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission (the Commission) is tasked with approving requirements and standards of practice for licensed EMS personnel.
    • The bill, as amended on the Senate floor, requires the Commission to include authority for EMS practitioners to administer patient-carried, time-critical prescription medications in the recommended practice standards submitted to the Bureau of EMS.
    • The actual protocols for administration are to be established by the EMS medical director for each EMS practitioner, rather than by a statewide protocol set by the Commission.

  • Medications and administration

    • EMS practitioners may administer patient-carried, time-critical prescription medications at the request of the patient or the patient’s family.
    • Administration is limited to intranasal, intravenous, and intramuscular routes.

  • Immunity and liability

    • Any EMS practitioner acting in accordance with the bill’s provisions is immune from civil liability, criminal prosecution, and disciplinary or other adverse action under professional licensing statutes for outcomes resulting from the administration of the medication.
    • Immunity does not apply if there is personal injury due to gross negligence or willful/wanton misconduct.

  • Designation and name

    • The act is named and may be known as “The Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act.”
    • Effective date: August 1, 2026.

Affected parties

  • EMS personnel: Licensed EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics who may administer patient-carried medications under protocols established by their EMS medical director.
  • Patients with rare diseases, chronic illnesses, or special medical needs: Stand to benefit from access to critical medications during emergencies when advised by a medical director and at the patient’s request.
  • EMS organizations and leadership: Responsible for implementing protocols via EMS medical directors and coordinating with the Commission and Bureau of EMS.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: August 1, 2026.
  • Process changes: Shifts responsibility for protocol establishment from the Commission to the EMS medical director, while still requiring the Commission to include authority for such practice in its recommended standards.
  • Legislative status: Passed through Senate (amendments added) and referred to House; advances contingent on House action.

Notes

This act emphasizes patient autonomy in emergency care by enabling pre-carried medications and provides broad liability protections to EMS personnel when acting within established protocols and the patient’s request, barring gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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