The bill amends and reenacts several sections of Louisiana's emergency medical services (EMS) laws, specifically R.S. 40:1131 and R.S. 40:1133, among others. Key changes include the renaming of the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Certification Commission to simply the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission, and the addition of new definitions for terms such as "emergency medical personnel" and "emergency medical response vehicle." The bill also establishes the commission's entitlement to access criminal history records for individuals seeking licensure as EMS practitioners or certified ambulance operators. Additionally, it modifies the fee structure for testing and licensing, removing certain testing fees while enacting new ones, and increases the number of voting commission members from eleven to twelve.

Furthermore, the bill repeals a specific provision related to the commission's structure and clarifies the duties and powers of both the commission and the bureau overseeing EMS personnel. It emphasizes the commission's role in recommending standards for practice and conducting disciplinary hearings for emergency medical personnel. The bill also outlines the conditions under which emergency medical services practitioners may operate in life-threatening situations, ensuring they can provide necessary care even when direct communication with a physician is not possible. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the regulatory framework governing emergency medical services in Louisiana, ensuring better oversight and improved care delivery.

Statutes affected:
SB296 Original: 40:1131(10), 40:1(E)(1), 40:2(B)(1), 40:3(A), 40:3(B)(1), 40:4(A)(1), 40:5(3), 40:13(E), 40:14(A)(2), 40:3(C)(1), 40:3(B)(2)
SB296 Engrossed: 40:1131(10), 40:1(E)(1), 40:2(B)(1), 40:3(A), 40:3(B)(1), 40:4(A)(1), 40:5(3), 40:13(E), 40:14(A)(2), 40:3(C)(1), 40:3(B)(2)
SB296 Reengrossed: 40:1131(10), 40:1(E)(1), 40:2(B)(1), 40:3(A), 40:3(B)(1), 40:4(A)(1), 40:5(3), 40:13(E), 40:14(A)(2), 40:3(C)(1), 40:3(B)(2)
SB296 Enrolled: 40:1131(10), 40:1(E)(1), 40:2(B)(1), 40:3(A), 40:3(B)(1), 40:4(A)(1), 40:5(3), 40:13(E), 40:14(A)(2), 40:14(C), 40:3(C)(1), 40:3(B)(2)
SB296 Act : 40:1131(10), 40:1(E)(1), 40:2(B)(1), 40:3(A), 40:3(B)(1), 40:4(A)(1), 40:5(3), 40:13(E), 40:14(A)(2), 40:14(C), 40:3(C)(1), 40:3(B)(2)