Senate Bill No. 155, introduced by Senator Stine, amends existing Louisiana law to expand the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" to include privately owned vehicles belonging to trauma surgeons. This change allows licensed trauma surgeons, who are board certified and actively practicing in the state, to equip their vehicles with emergency visual signal equipment, specifically a large removable flashing red light that is visible from 500 feet in normal sunlight. The bill specifies that this provision applies when the surgeons are responding to designated Level I, II, or III trauma centers.

Additionally, the bill outlines the procedures and requirements for the use of this emergency equipment, mandating that the Department of Public Safety develop rules and regulations for implementation. These regulations will include the surgeon's name and vehicle license number, verification of documentation from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and provisions for revocation or suspension of the authorization if compliance is not maintained. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
SB155 Original: 32:318(G)
SB155 Engrossed: 32:1(1), 32:318(G)