The bill proposes amendments to Section 23-4.1-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-4.1, titled "Emergency Medical Transportation Services," by updating licensing requirements for ambulances and ambulance services in Rhode Island. It mandates that no person may transport patients or operate an ambulance without a license issued by the director of health and adds that transporting any patient by stretcher or in a supine position without an emergency medical services provider license is prohibited, with exemptions for certain vehicles and situations. The bill also introduces a new chapter to Title 39 of the General Laws, "NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION," defining terms related to non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services and outlining criteria for different types of NEMT, while clarifying that medical facilities coordinating transportation for discharging patients are not considered NEMT.

Furthermore, the bill includes additional legal language that grants the division of motor vehicles the authority to prescribe rules and regulations for NEMT services. It requires individuals operating a vehicle for NEMT to obtain an NEMT certificate of operating authority, establishes the application process for the certificate, and exempts certain entities from these requirements. The bill also prohibits for-hire transportation services from providing NEMT services without an NEMT certificate and grants the division of motor vehicles jurisdiction over the safety and sanitary condition of NEMT vehicles. Additionally, it sets forth registration and vehicle marking requirements, licensing and training requirements for NEMT drivers, insurance coverage mandates for vehicle owners, and penalties for violations. The bill is designed to regulate companies and drivers providing non-emergency medical transportation services and would take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
725  SUB A: 23-4.1-6