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 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 also introduces a new subsection (c) that outlines the development of protocols by the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council for 9-1-1 emergency medical situations that are exempt from the telemedicine requirement.

Additionally, the bill allows ambulance services to adopt these protocols with the approval of their medical director and to request the council to approve further protocols for exemption. The council is tasked with reviewing all exempted protocols annually to ensure they remain relevant and effective. This legislative change aims to enhance the flexibility and responsiveness of ambulance services in emergency medical situations while maintaining a standard of care through telemedicine when necessary.

Statutes affected:
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
Old version HB1285 Original - 1-28-2025 04:58 PM: 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