Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that "clinical observation" means the ongoing observation of a patient's medical or mental health condition by a licensed health care professional utilizing a medical skill set while continuing assessment and care. Provides that the EMS Medical Directors on the EMT Training, Recruitment, and Retention Task Force may be active or retired. Provides that an education plan within a resource hospital may include classes performed outside of the region in which the resource hospital is located. Provides that "paramedic" means a person who has successfully completed a course in advanced life support care as approved by the Department of Public Health or accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP), is licensed by the Department, and practices with an Advanced Life Support EMS System. Provides that the Department shall have the authority to adopt rules governing the curriculum, practice, and necessary equipment applicable to emergency medical responders and shall allow curriculum in addition to the National Registry curriculum. Provides that a fee for EMS personnel examination, licensure, and license renewal shall be reasonable. Provides that a lead instructor is permitted to oversee a paramedic with at least 3 years of experience to teach EMT classes in high schools with a licensed teacher. Provides that pass rates for classes taught in high schools shall not adversely impact the lead instructor or affiliated EMS system, resource hospital, or provider. Provides that the Department may not include any additional criteria for approval of a staffing waiver utilizing an EMR other than the criteria outlined. Provides that the EMR pilot program shall not be implemented before Department approval which must be granted upon EMS System Medical Director approval.
House Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes changes to provisions concerning the EMT Training, Recruitment, and Retention Task Force; Emergency Medical Services personnel licensure levels; and vehicle service providers. Removes language providing that an education plan within a resource hospital may include classes performed outside of the region in which the resource hospital is located. Provides that an EMS System may coordinate education outside of the region of which it is located with valid justification and Department of Public Health approval. Provides that the didactic portion of education may be conducted through an online platform with EMS System and Department approval. Sets forth provisions concerning Department approval. Provides that an EMS Lead Instructor may oversee a paramedic with at least 3 years of experience to teach EMT classes, with a licensed teacher, in high schools. Provides that high school students electing to not take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Certification exam shall not be accounted for in calculating the course pass rate by the EMS System or Department.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 210 ILCS 50/3
Engrossed: 210 ILCS 50/3
Enrolled: 210 ILCS 50/3
Public Act: 210 ILCS 50/3