The proposed bill would amend current statutes related to ambulance services by introducing exemptions from the certificate of necessity (CON) requirement for certain hospital-owned ambulance services applying for CONs for interfacility transport. It would also prohibit existing CON holders from appealing decisions made by the Director of the Department of Health Services (DHS) and restrict them from preventing other CON holders from amending their CONs to adjust overlapping service areas. Additionally, the bill would grant the right of first refusal to ambulance services holding a CON for interfacility transport when a transfer is needed, provided they meet specified conditions. Moreover, the bill mandates that transferring health care institutions document communications with ambulance services regarding interfacility transport requests, including details about the patient's condition and required medical equipment. If all ambulance services decline to transport a patient, the institution may make alternative arrangements. The bill also introduces new definitions and modifies existing ones, such as redefining "Emergency medical responder" and renumbering "Emergency medical services provider" and "Emergency medical technician". Overall, these updates aim to streamline interfacility transport processes while maintaining patient care standards and enhancing the regulatory framework for emergency medical services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-2201, 36-2233, 36-2205, 36-2202, 36-2204, 36-401, 36-2225
House Engrossed Version: 36-2201, 36-2233, 36-2236, 36-2248, 36-2205, 36-2202, 36-2204, 36-401, 36-2225, 36-2234, 36-2240, 36-2237, 36-2217, 36-2242, 48-820, 48-822