Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember Norma Torres (D-61) announced today that she will introduce legislation to protect the privacy of 9-1-1 medical emergency calls. Torres is reacting to the recent high-profile release of a taped 9-1-1 medical emergency call in Los Angeles.

"In my 18 years as a 9-1-1 operator, I found that every minute is critical when someone is experiencing an emergency.  No one should hesitate to make a call during a medical emergency because they are concerned that the call will be made public.  Medical emergency 9-1-1 calls contain private and sensitive information that should never be broadcast to the world," said Torres.

"Everyone has the right to privacy.  The unauthorized release of medical records is already illegal, medical emergency calls should also be protected.  Their unauthorized release is irresponsible and intrusive.  People's lives are being jeopardized.  I don't want anyone to hesitate or not make a 9-1-1 call because they are afraid their taped call will be released to the media.  We need to protect this basic right to privacy," added Torres.

For more information, please contact Catalina Martinez at (916) 319-2061.