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1995 SESSION

LD7682178
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 621
Offered January 23, 1995
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study reporting requirements of physicians and others who provide medical treatment to burn victims.
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Patrons--Crittenden, Armstrong, Behm, Bennett, Christian, Cunningham, Deeds, Jones, D.C., Jones, J.C., Melvin, Robinson and Spruill; Senators: Lambert, Lucas, Maxwell and Miller, Y.B.
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, fire and burn injuries are the second leading cause of accidental death in children one to four years of age and the third leading cause of injury and death for ages one through eighteen; and

WHEREAS, many of the safety issues regarding burns are not merely fire related and therefore are not tracked through the Virginia Fire Incident Reporting System, so that the true extent of the burn injury problem in Virginia is unknown; and

WHEREAS, burn injury reporting provides local statistics for programs, presentations and planning regarding fire safety programs; and

WHEREAS, information gathered through reporting can be used when conducting fire investigation-related activities; and

WHEREAS, physicians and other persons who render aid or treatment to any person who has been wounded by a weapon must report such incident to the sheriff or chief of police as soon as practicable, according to § 54.1-2967 of the Code; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the reporting requirements in § 54.1-2967 and determine if similar requirements should be imposed on physicians and other persons treating burn victims.

The joint subcommittee shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed in the following manner: four members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $4,200.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by the State Department of Health and the Department of Medical Professions. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.