This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes regarding emergency medical services in Arizona, particularly focusing on air ambulance services. It introduces new definitions for "air ambulance," "air ambulance attendant," and "air ambulance service," which clarify the roles of personnel involved in air medical transport. The bill also modifies existing liability protections for health professionals during emergencies, ensuring they are not held accountable for actions taken due to resource limitations. Additionally, it updates the burden of proof for nursing care institutions in claims not directly related to public health pandemics, aiming to streamline the regulatory framework.

Furthermore, the bill repeals outdated provisions and amends existing language to enhance the operational standards for both ground and air ambulances. It establishes that a certificate of registration is required for air ambulances, similar to ground ambulances, and allows for new certificates to be issued upon ownership changes without a registration fee for volunteer not-for-profit services. The bill also refines the director's responsibilities in setting operational standards, focusing on public health and safety rather than specific response times. Overall, these changes aim to modernize regulations, improve safety, and provide clearer guidelines for health care providers in Arizona.

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