In the near future, I will be introducing legislation which creates an independent Office of EMS Commissioner to operate within the Department of Health. As you may know, our EMS system is in crisis, particularly in rural areas of the Commonwealth. It is important to elevate and strengthen the voice of the men and women who provide this vital, life-saving service in our communities.

This legislation transfers the existing oversight duties for EMS under Chapter 81 of Title 35 (Health and Safety) to this new office; thereby, replacing the existing Bureau of EMS.  My proposal requires that the State EMS Commissioner shall have a separate line item in the state budget and will report directly to the Governor.

The purpose of this legislation is to establish an autonomous office, rather than maintaining a lower-tiered bureau within the large bureaucracy of the Department of Health.  This legislation is modeled after the Office of State Fire Commissioner under the same title.

Additionally, this legislation will include the establishment of a new statewide EMS advisory board to assist the EMS Commissioner with the prescribed powers and duties and to provide advice and recommendations on matters related to the state’s EMS delivery system.  The new advisory board under this legislation contemplates acting in similar fashion to both the Commonwealth’s current state fire advisory board and the 911 advisory board, two very active and successful boards.

Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1745 (May 21, 2025): 35-8102(10)