The proposed bill would update current statutes governing ambulance services in Arizona by introducing new reporting requirements and enhancing regulatory oversight. Specifically, it would require ambulance services to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Health Services (DHS) regarding dispatched ambulances, with DHS mandated to make this information publicly available. The bill would also allow DHS to impose civil penalties for non-compliance with these reporting requirements and define "emergency medical dispatch classification." Additionally, it would modify the existing GPS installation requirement for ambulance services, allowing for waivers under certain conditions, and establish an online portal for certificate of necessity applications.

Moreover, the bill would enhance the regulatory framework by allowing DHS to issue certificates of necessity to various entities, including cities and private services, and stipulate that decisions on certificate renewals must be based on current data. It would require local emergency medical services coordinating systems to submit their regional plans to the Legislature and exempt registered ambulances responding to major emergencies from certain regulations. Overall, these updates aim to improve the oversight, efficiency, and accountability of ambulance services in Arizona while ensuring compliance with new operational standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-2208, 36-2217, 36-2220.01, 36-2232, 36-2233, 36-2234, 36-2235, 36-2236, 36-2218, 36-2223, 36-2212, 36-401, 36-2240, 36-2237, 36-2242, 48-820, 48-822, 12-904, 41-1092.08, 36-2245