This bill amends and reenacts several sections of Louisiana's emergency medical services (EMS) laws, specifically R.S. 40:1131 and related provisions, to update definitions, rename the EMS certification commission, and clarify the commission's authority regarding criminal history records of emergency medical personnel. Notably, the term "Certification" is removed from the commission's name, which is now referred to as the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission. The bill also introduces new definitions for "emergency medical personnel" and "emergency medical response vehicle," while establishing the commission's entitlement to access criminal history records for individuals seeking licensure as EMS practitioners or certified ambulance operators.

Additionally, the bill modifies the fee structure for testing and licensure, including the removal of certain testing fees and the introduction of a new fee schedule. It increases the number of voting members on the commission from eleven to twelve and adds a requirement for one member to be a registered nurse who is also a state-licensed paramedic. The bill further clarifies the powers and duties of both the commission and the bureau overseeing EMS, including the approval of standards for emergency medical personnel and the conduct of disciplinary hearings. Lastly, it repeals a specific provision related to the commission's membership, streamlining the governance of emergency medical services in Louisiana.

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)