To amend sections 4761.01 and 4761.11 of the Revised Code to exempt certified hyperbaric technologists from the laws governing the practice of respiratory care.

Section 1.  That sections 4761.01 and 4761.11 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 4761.01.  As used in this chapter:

(A) "Respiratory care" means rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the public any service involving the evaluation of cardiopulmonary function, the treatment of cardiopulmonary impairment, the assessment of treatment effectiveness, and the care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. The practice of respiratory care includes:

(1) Obtaining, analyzing, testing, measuring, and monitoring blood and gas samples in the determination of cardiopulmonary parameters and related physiologic data, including flows, pressures, and volumes, and the use of equipment employed for this purpose;

(2) Administering, monitoring, recording the results of, and instructing in the use of medical gases, aerosols, and bronchopulmonary hygiene techniques, including drainage, aspiration, and sampling, and applying, maintaining, and instructing in the use of artificial airways, ventilators, and other life support equipment employed in the treatment of cardiopulmonary impairment and provided in collaboration with other licensed health care professionals responsible for providing care;

(3) Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and respiratory rehabilitation techniques;

(4) Administering medications for the testing or treatment of cardiopulmonary impairment.

(B) "Respiratory care professional" means a person who is licensed under this chapter to practice the full range of respiratory care services as defined in division (A) of this section.

(C) "Physician" means an individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(D) "Registered nurse" means an individual licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code to engage in the practice of nursing as a registered nurse.

(E) "Hospital" means a facility that meets the operating standards of section 3727.02 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5111.20 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Certified hyperbaric technologist" means a person who administers hyperbaric oxygen therapy and is certified as a hyperbaric technologist by the national board of diving and hyperbaric medical technology or its successor organization.

(H) "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy" means the administration of pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber, except that it does not include ventilator management.

Sec. 4761.11.  (A) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent or restrict the practice, services, or activities of any person who:

(1) Is a health care professional licensed by this state providing respiratory care services included in the scope of practice established by the license held, as long as the person does not represent that the person is engaged in the practice of respiratory care;

(2) Is employed as a respiratory care professional by an agency of the United States government and provides respiratory care solely under the direction or control of the employing agency;

(3) Is a student enrolled in a board-approved respiratory care education program leading to a certificate of completion in respiratory care and is performing duties that are part of a supervised course of study;

(4) Is a nonresident of this state practicing or offering to practice respiratory care, if the respiratory care services are offered for not more than thirty days in a year, services are provided under the supervision of a respiratory care professional licensed under this chapter, and the nonresident registers with the board in accordance with rules adopted by the board under section 4761.03 of the Revised Code and meets either of the following requirements:

(a) Qualifies for licensure under this chapter, except for passage of the examination required under division (A)(3) of section 4761.04 of the Revised Code;

(b) Holds a valid license issued by a state that has licensure requirements considered by the board to be comparable to those of this state and has not been issued a license in another state that has been revoked or is currently under suspension or on probation.

(5) Provides respiratory care only to relatives or in medical emergencies;

(6) Provides gratuitous care to friends or personal family members;

(7) Provides only self care;

(8) Is employed in the office of a physician and renders medical assistance under the physician's direct supervision without representing that the person is engaged in the practice of respiratory care;

(9) Is employed in a clinical chemistry or arterial blood gas laboratory and is supervised by a physician without representing that the person is engaged in the practice of respiratory care;

(10) Is engaged in the practice of respiratory care as an employee of a person or governmental entity located in another state and provides respiratory care services for less than seventy-two hours to patients being transported into, out of, or through this state;

(11) Is employed as a certified hyperbaric technologist and administers hyperbaric oxygen therapy under the physician's direct supervision without representing that the person is engaged in the practice of respiratory care.

(B) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent any person from advertising, describing, or offering to provide respiratory care or billing for respiratory care when the respiratory care services are provided by a health care professional licensed by this state practicing within the scope of practice established by the license held. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a hospital or nursing facility from advertising, describing, or offering to provide respiratory care, or billing for respiratory care rendered by a person licensed under this chapter or persons who may provide limited aspects of respiratory care or respiratory care tasks pursuant to division (B) of section 4761.10 of the Revised Code.

(C) Notwithstanding division (A) of section 4761.10 of the Revised Code, in a life-threatening situation, in the absence of licensed personnel, unlicensed persons shall not be prohibited from taking life-saving measures.

(D) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing a respiratory care professional to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery. This division does not prohibit a respiratory care professional from administering topical or intradermal medications for the purpose of producing localized decreased sensation as part of a procedure or task that is within the scope of practice of a respiratory care professional.

Section 2.  That existing sections 4761.01 and 4761.11 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.