The proposed bill seeks to modernize current statutes governing emergency medical services in Arizona by introducing specific definitions and regulations for air ambulance services, distinguishing them from ground ambulance services. It includes new terms such as "air ambulance," "air ambulance service," and "air ambulance attendant," which clarify the roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in air medical transport. The bill mandates that air ambulances be staffed with qualified personnel, including at least one physician or professional nurse and one emergency medical technician or responder during interfacility transport. Additionally, it updates the registration process for air ambulances, requiring a certificate of registration similar to that of ground ambulances, while eliminating registration fees for volunteer not-for-profit services.

Furthermore, the bill repeals outdated provisions and modifies existing language to enhance clarity and compliance with updated standards. It removes the previous requirement for the Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services to adopt rules regarding response and operation times for air ambulance operations, shifting the focus to public health and safety. The bill also revises the burden of proof for nursing and residential care institutions during emergencies, ensuring that actions taken are directly related to pandemic-related care limitations. Overall, these updates aim to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of emergency medical services in Arizona while maintaining legal protections for healthcare providers during emergencies.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 12-516, 13-2929, 32-1471, 36-661, 36-2201, 36-2202, 36-2204.02, 36-2209, 36-2212, 36-2213, 36-2215, 36-2226.02, 36-2230, 36-2239, 36-2245, 36-2264, 36-2907, 36-2989, 41-1831, 41-2407, 36-401, 32-3201, 28-3511, 12-2801, 20-1054, 36-2205, 36-2204, 36-2225, 36-2202.01, 41-1026, 38-611, 36-2211, 41-1092.08, 35-146, 35-147, 36-2232, 36-2234, 20-1051, 36-2218, 89-97, 36-2901, 36-2931, 36-2908, 36-2901.08, 36-2901.09, 36-2981, 38-651, 36-3401