House of Representatives

HB 2482

EMTs; first responders; definition

Sponsors: Representative Gerard: Carpenter, Foster, Verkamp

dpa	Committee on Health
dpa	Caucus and COW	This bill contains an Appropriation clause.
dpa	As Passed the House
x	As Transmitted to the Governor

HB 2482 authorizes ambulance services and emergency medical services (EMS) providers to establish in-house centralized medical direction communications centers and training and education programs and allows these service providers to investigate employees given they follow certain requirements.

History

Prior to this proposed legislation, the US Department of Transportation held the responsibility of training and certifying first responders, but there were no specific examination criteria. This bill sets specific standards that must be used in testing an applicant for first responder certification.

The emergency medical services operating fund was established in 1983. Money deposited into the fund comes from the collection of fines given for various traffic violations. DHS is to expend the money for funding local and state emergency medical services systems. Money in the fund is subject to annual legislative appropriation. In 1999, $1.25 million was appropriated for emergency medical service projects in rural areas.

Provisions

· Allows ambulance services and emergency medical services providers to provide centralized medical direction through a centralized medical direction communications center. Each center must be staffed by at least one physician (MD or DO).

· Adds to the requirements of a first responder to successfully complete the:

· USDOT first responder national standard curriculum.

· National registry first responder examination, and provide proof to the person’s employer.

· USDOT first responder refresher national standard curriculum at least once every two years.

· Deletes the term ambulance attendant in several areas.

· Specifies that in an area with a population of more than 10,000 people, an ambulance must have at least one EMT and one ambulance attendant as defined in statute, excluding the first responder.

· Places the responsibilities of testing and certification of first responder instructors with DHS as opposed to the state fire marshal’s office.

· Defines qualified first responder instructor.

· Allows the director to authorize, after consultation with the EMS council, pilot programs designed to improve the safety and efficiency of ambulance inspections for governmental or quasi-governmental entities that provide emergency medical services.

· Authorizes the director to waive or suspend a protocol relating to treatments and medications.

· Requires parties interested in being notified of the suspension of a protocol to submit a written request to the director.

· Requires training and education programs established by ambulance services and EMS providers to be authorized by the director.

· Allows the director to authorize an EMS or ambulance provider to investigate employees.

· Authorizes the employer to limit the employee’s practice during an investigation.

· Allows the employer to make a recommendation to the director regarding the certification status of an employee after an investigation has been performed.

· Appropriates $100,000 in FY 2000-2001 from the EMS operating fund to DHS for a demonstration project to contract for central medical direction for emergency medical services. This appropriation is exempt from the lapsing of appropriations.

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44th Legislature Analyst Initials _______

Second Regular Session April 20, 2000

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