This bill designates ambulance service providers as essential service providers for emergency management at both the state and local levels. It amends existing definitions in the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) to include ambulance service providers in the definitions of "local organization for emergency management" and "first responders." Specifically, the bill inserts language to clarify that local organizations may direct the provision of emergency medical services by ambulance service providers and explicitly includes these providers in the definition of first responders.

The bill's implementation may lead to increased costs for county and local governments, particularly during the activation of ambulance services. While the fiscal impact on county and local revenues is estimated to be zero, expenditures are deemed indeterminable. The New Hampshire Association of Counties has indicated that if the bill implies a requirement for counties to provide ambulance services, it could result in increased expenditures, as currently, only Cheshire County provides such services. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-P:35