AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-2355, relative to the definition of emergency services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-2355, is amended by deleting subsection (a)(1) in its entirety and by substituting instead the following:

(1) "Emergency medical condition" means a medical condition that manifests itself by symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, that a prudent layperson, who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to potentially result in:

(A) Placing the person's health in serious jeopardy;

(B) Serious impairment to bodily functions; or

(C) Serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2000.

Pursuant to Article III, Section 18, of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, the Governor had House Bill No. 3244 in his possession longer than ten (10) days, so therefore the bill becomes law without the Governor's signature.