The bill establishes an exemption program for ambulance service operators regarding certain healthcare services, specifically focusing on the triage, treatment, and transport of patients. It amends Arkansas Code 20-13-108(b) to clarify that ambulance service operators may triage and transport patients to alternative destinations or treat them in place, provided they are coordinating care through telemedicine with a physician or behavioral health specialist. The amendment introduces a new provision that allows for exceptions to the telemedicine requirement under specific circumstances.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council to develop protocols for 9-1-1 emergency medical situations that would be exempt from the telemedicine requirement. Ambulance services can adopt these protocols with the approval of their medical director and may also request the council to approve additional protocols. The council is tasked with reviewing all exempted protocols annually to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1285 Original - 1-28-2025 04:58 PM: 20-13-108(b), 20-13-108
Old version HB1285 V2 - 2-20-2025 11:59 AM: 20-13-108(b), 20-13-108
Old version HB1285 V3 - 3-10-2025 10:38 AM: 20-13-108(b), 20-13-108
HB 1285: 20-13-108(b), 20-13-108
Act 856: 20-13-108(b), 20-13-108