December 22, 2003
December 22, 2003
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed bills to require emergency responders to be equipped with medicine to treat patients suffering from severe allergic reactions and to increase penalties for hit-and-run boating accidents.
House Bill 4518, sponsored by State Representative Paul Gieleghem (D-Clinton Township), will require that emergency response vehicles be equipped with epinephrine and that emergency medical personnel be appropriately trained to administer the medicine. Epinephrine is the only treatment for the life-threatening allergic reactions some people have to certain insect bites, foods, substances, or medications. Under current law, not all medical personnel who respond to a 911 call may be authorized to administer epinephrine, and only advanced life support services carry it in their medicine kits.
“Getting epinephrine in minutes, instead of hours, can sometimes mean the difference between life and death for someone who is having an allergic reaction,” said Granholm. “Representative Gieleghem’s bill assures those who suffer from severe allergic reactions to things such as bee stings, nuts, or other substances that the ambulance service and medical response team will be able to administer the appropriate treatment.”
Senate Bills 658 and 659, sponsored by Senator Tony Stamas (R-Midland), will elevate the crime for the operator of a boat involved in a hit-and-run accident resulting in serious injury or death to a felony. Under this legislation, leaving the scene of a boating accident will be treated the same as leaving the scene of an automobile accident. Currently, the operator of a watercraft found guilty of such an offense can be charged with only a misdemeanor.
“This legislation rightly raises the stake for boaters who do not stop and take responsibility for their actions,” said Granholm. “Leaving the scene of any accident, whether on the water or in an automobile, should be a felony. The operator of a boat that left the scene of a deadly accident that killed 33-year-old Brent Veitengruber last year was convicted of a misdemeanor and sentenced to one year in jail. Although the pain of Brent’s death cannot be erased for his family, their activism on his behalf has brought about changes in the law that will help ease the suffering of other families who experience a loss such as Brent’s.”
