S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4020
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 2, 2023
___________
Introduced by Sens. MAYER, HINCHEY, PERSAUD, SKOUFIS -- read twice and
ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on
Local Government
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, the civil service law, the
retirement and social security law and the public health law, in
relation to emergency medical services
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 1 of section 122-b of
the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 471 of the laws of
2011, is amended and a new paragraph (g) is added to read as follows:
[Any] GENERAL AMBULANCE SERVICES ARE AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE. EVERY
county, city, town [or] AND village, acting individually or jointly OR
IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SPECIAL DISTRICT, [may provide] SHALL ENSURE THAT
an emergency medical service, a general ambulance service or a combina-
tion of such services ARE PROVIDED for the purpose of providing prehos-
pital emergency medical treatment or transporting sick or injured
persons found within the boundaries of the municipality or the munici-
palities acting jointly to a hospital, clinic, sanatorium or other place
for treatment of such illness or injury[, and for]. IN FURTHERANCE OF
that purpose, A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE may:
(G) ESTABLISH A SPECIAL DISTRICT FOR THE FINANCING AND OPERATION OF
GENERAL AMBULANCE SERVICES AS SET FORTH BY THIS SECTION, WHEREBY ANY
COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE, ACTING INDIVIDUALLY, OR JOINTLY WITH ANY
OTHER COUNTY, CITY, TOWN AND/OR VILLAGE, THROUGH ITS GOVERNING BODY OR
BODIES, FOLLOWING APPLICABLE PROCEDURES AS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE ESTAB-
LISHMENT OF FIRE DISTRICTS IN ARTICLE ELEVEN OF THE TOWN LAW OR FOLLOW-
ING APPLICABLE PROCEDURES AS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT
FIRE DISTRICTS IN ARTICLE ELEVEN-A OF THE TOWN LAW, WITH SUCH SPECIAL
DISTRICT BEING AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECTION TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ALL OR
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05007-01-3
S. 4020 2
ANY PART OF ANY SUCH PARTICIPATING COUNTY OR COUNTIES, TOWN OR TOWNS,
CITY OR CITIES AND/OR VILLAGE OR VILLAGES.
§ 2. Subdivision 2 of section 163 of the civil service law, as amended
by section 4 of part T of chapter 56 of the laws of 2010, is amended to
read as follows:
2. The contract or contracts shall provide for health benefits for
retired employees of the state and of the state colleges of agriculture,
home economics, industrial labor relations and veterinary medicine, the
state agricultural experiment station at Geneva, and any other institu-
tion or agency under the management and control of Cornell university as
the representative of the board of trustees of the state university of
New York, and the state college of ceramics under the management and
control of Alfred university as the representative of the board of trus-
tees of the state university of New York, and their spouses and depend-
ent children as defined by the regulations of the president, on such
terms as the president may deem appropriate, and the president may
authorize the inclusion in the plan of the employees and retired employ-
ees of public authorities, public benefit corporations, school
districts, special districts, district corporations, municipal corpo-
rations excluding active employees and retired employees of cities
having a population of one million or more inhabitants whose compen-
sation is or was before retirement paid out of the city treasury, or
other appropriate agencies, subdivisions or quasi-public organizations
of the state, including active members of volunteer fire and volunteer
ambulance companies serving one or more municipal corporations pursuant
to subdivision seven of section ninety-two-a of the general municipal
law, and their spouses and dependent children as defined by the regu-
lations of the president. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW OR REGULATION TO THE
CONTRARY, ACTIVE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE COMPANIES SERVING ONE OR
MORE MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION
NINETY-TWO-A OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH
BENEFITS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS DERIVED FROM PUBLIC SOURCES.
Any such corporation, district, agency or organization electing to
participate in the plan shall be required to pay its proportionate share
of the expenses of administration of the plan in such amounts and at
such times as determined and fixed by the president. All amounts payable
for such expenses of administration shall be paid to the commissioner of
taxation and finance and shall be applied to the reimbursement of funds
previously advanced for such purposes. Neither the state nor any other
participant in the plan shall be charged with the particular experience
attributable to the employees of the participant, and all dividends or
retroactive rate credits shall be distributed pro-rata based upon the
number of employees of such participant covered by the plan.
§ 3. Paragraph 9 of subdivision c of section 40 of the retirement and
social security law, as amended by chapter 525 of the laws of 1963, is
amended to read as follows:
9. ACTIVE MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE COMPANIES SERVING ONE OR MORE
MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF SECTION NINETY-
TWO-A OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW.
10. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of subdivision e of
this section, or of this chapter or of any other law, an officer or
employee in the service of the state or of a participating employer who,
at the time of entering such service, was or is entitled to benefits by
any other pension or retirement system maintained by the state or a
political subdivision thereof, provided such benefits, exclusive of any
annuity based solely on his own contributions and interest thereon, are
S. 4020 3
suspended during his active membership in the retirement system. He
shall contribute to the retirement system as a new member.
§ 4. Section 3000 of the public health law, as amended by chapter 804
of the laws of 1992, is amended to read as follows:
§ 3000. Declaration of policy and statement of purpose. The furnishing
of medical assistance in an emergency is a matter of vital concern
affecting the public health, safety and welfare. EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES AND AMBULANCE SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT MUST BE
AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN NEW YORK IN A RELIABLE MANNER. Prehospital
emergency medical care, OTHER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, the provision
of prompt and effective communication among ambulances and hospitals and
safe and effective care and transportation of the sick and injured are
essential public health services THAT MUST BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN
NEW YORK IN A RELIABLE MANNER.
It is the purpose of this article to promote the public health, safety
and welfare by providing for certification of all advanced life support
first response services and ambulance services; the creation of regional
emergency medical services councils; and a New York state emergency
medical services council to develop minimum training standards for
certified first responders, emergency medical technicians and advanced
emergency medical technicians and minimum equipment and communication
standards for advanced life support first response services and ambu-
lance services.
§ 5. Subdivision 1 of section 3001 of the public health law, as
amended by chapter 804 of the laws of 1992, is amended to read as
follows:
1. "Emergency medical service" means [initial emergency medical
assistance including, but not limited to, the treatment of trauma,
burns, respiratory, circulatory and obstetrical emergencies] CARE OF A
PERSON TO, FROM, AT, IN, OR BETWEEN THE PERSON'S HOME, SCENE OF INJURY,
HOSPITALS, HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, PUBLIC EVENTS OR OTHER LOCATIONS, BY
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PRACTITIONERS AS A PATIENT CARE TEAM MEMBER,
FOR EMERGENCY, NON-EMERGENCY, SPECIALTY, LOW ACUITY, PREVENTATIVE, OR
INTERFACILITY CARE; EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCH; COOR-
DINATION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL; ASSESS-
MENT; TREATMENT, TRANSPORTATION, ROUTING, REFERRALS AND COMMUNICATIONS
WITH TREATMENT FACILITIES AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL; PUBLIC EDUCATION, INJU-
RY PREVENTION AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES; ADMINISTRATION OF IMMUNIZATIONS
AS APPROVED BY THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COUNCIL; AND
FOLLOW-UP AND RESTORATIVE CARE.
§ 6. Section 3002 of the public health law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 9 to read as follows:
9. THE STATE COUNCIL SHALL ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER ON SUCH ISSUES AS
THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICE, SPECIALTY CARE, DESIGNATED FACILITY CARE, AND DISASTER
MEDICAL CARE, AND ASSIST IN THE COORDINATION OF SUCH SERVICE AND CARE.
THIS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE RECOMMENDATION, PERIODIC
REVISION, AND APPLICATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS, APPROPRIATENESS
REVIEW STANDARDS, TREATMENT PROTOCOLS, AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STAND-
ARDS. SUCH RULES, REGULATIONS, STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS SHALL BE REGION-
ALIZED, AS NECESSARY. THE STATE COUNCIL SHALL MEET AS FREQUENTLY AS
DETERMINED NECESSARY BY THE COMMISSIONER.
§ 7. Section 3003 of the public health law is amended by adding two
new subdivisions 11 and 12 to read as follows:
11. EACH REGIONAL COUNCIL SHALL ADVISE THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES COUNCIL, THE COMMISSIONER AND THE DEPARTMENT ON SUCH ISSUES AS
S. 4020 4
THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES COUNCIL, THE COMMISSIONER AND THE
DEPARTMENT MAY REQUIRE RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICE, SPECIALTY CARE, DESIGNATED FACILITY CARE, AND DISASTER MEDICAL
CARE, AND ASSIST IN THE REGIONAL COORDINATION OF SUCH SERVICE AND CARE.
12. EACH REGIONAL COUNCIL SHALL ADVISE THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES COUNCIL, THE COMMISSIONER AND THE DEPARTMENT ON THE APPROPRIATE
REGIONAL STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES.
§ 8. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 3004 to
read as follows:
§ 3004. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY ASSUR-
ANCE PROGRAM. THE COMMISSIONER, WITH THE ADVICE OF THE STATE EMERGENCY
MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MAY CREATE AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM. STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
OF THE QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT
BE LIMITED TO, CLINICAL STANDARDS, QUALITY METRICS, SAFETY STANDARDS,
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATOR STANDARDS, CLINICAL COMPETENCIES, SUSTAINA-
BILITY METRICS AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE AND
SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMS TO BE FOLLOWED BY EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES AGENCIES, TO PROMOTE POSITIVE PATIENT OUTCOMES, SAFETY, AND
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE
PROGRAM MAY BE REGIONALIZED. THE COMMISSIONER IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO
PROMULGATE REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE
QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM. QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
ASSURANCE PROGRAMS SHALL REQUIRE EACH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AGENCY
TO PERFORM REGULAR AND PERIODIC REVIEW OF QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
ASSURANCE PROGRAM METRICS, IDENTIFICATION OF AGENCY DEFICIENCIES AND
STRENGTHS, DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE AGENCY METRICS, STRENGTHEN
SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY, AND CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF CARE PROVIDED. THE
DEPARTMENT MAY CONTRACT FOR SERVICES WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO
ASSIST IN THE OVERSIGHT OF THESE METRICS STATEWIDE. THE DEPARTMENT MAY
DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE THESE METRICS AND REGULATIONS TO COUNTIES
OR OTHER CONTRACTORS AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER. EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES AGENCIES THAT DO NOT MEET THE STANDARDS AND REQUIRE-
MENTS SET FORTH IN THE QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM SET BY THE COMMISSIONER
MAY BE SUBJECT TO ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLANS, OR RESTRICTION
FROM SPECIFIC TYPES OF RESPONSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SUSPEN-
SION OF THE ABILITY TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSIST-
ANCE OR TO PERFORM EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.
§ 9. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 3018 to
read as follows:
§ 3018. STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM PLAN. 1. THE
DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE, SHALL DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE EMERGEN-
CY MEDICAL SYSTEM PLAN THAT SHALL PROVIDE FOR A COORDINATED EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SYSTEM WITHIN THE STATE, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED
TO:
(A) ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM,
INCORPORATING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKFORCE, COMMUNICATIONS, AND
OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE AND
THEREBY DECREASE MORBIDITY, HOSPITALIZATION, DISABILITY, AND MORTALITY;
(B) IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HIGH-QUALITY EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICE;
S. 4020 5
(C) COORDINATING WITH PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS, HOSPITALS,
AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES TO DEVELOP APPROACHES FOR PERSONS
WHO ARE PRESENTLY USING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS FOR ROUTINE, NONURGENT AND
PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE TO BE SERVED APPROPRIATELY AND ECONOMICALLY; AND
(D) CONDUCTING, PROMOTING, AND ENCOURAGING PROGRAMS OF EDUCATION AND
TRAINING DESIGNED TO UPGRADE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICE PRACTITIONERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE WITH EMPHASIS ON
REGIONS UNDERSERVED BY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.
2. THE STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM PLAN SHALL BE
REVIEWED, UPDATED IF NECESSARY, AND PUBLISHED EVERY FIVE YEARS ON THE
DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE, OR AT SUCH EARLIER TIMES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO
IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF THE STATE'S EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICE SYSTEM.
3. EACH REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL DEVELOP
AND MAINTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM PLAN THAT
SHALL PROVIDE FOR A COORDINATED EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM WITHIN THE
REGION. SUCH PLANS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE STATE EMERGENCY
MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND APPROVAL BY THE DEPARTMENT.
4. EACH COUNTY SHALL DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE COUNTY EMER-
GENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM PLAN THAT SHALL PROVIDE FOR A COORDINATED EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SYSTEM WITHIN THE COUNTY. THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
COMPREHENSIVE COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM PLAN. SUCH PLANS SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE,
THE STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND APPROVAL BY THE DEPARTMENT. THE DEPART-
MENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSIGHT OF EACH COUNTY'S COMPLIANCE WITH
ITS PLAN.
5. THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE
WITH THIS SECTION.
§ 10. Section 3008 of the public health law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 8 to read as follows:
8. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW OTHER THAN PARAGRAPH (B)
OF THIS SUBDIVISION TO THE CONTRARY, ALL DETERMINATIONS OF NEED SHALL BE
CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM PLAN ESTABLISHED IN
SECTION THREE THOUSAND EIGHTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE. THE COMMISSIONER MAY
PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR STANDARDS ON THE DETERMINATION OF
NEED. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A NEW EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM AGENCY
CERTIFICATE ONLY UPON A DETERMINATION THAT A PUBLIC NEED FOR THE
PROPOSED SERVICE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO REGULATION. IF THE
DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT A PUBLIC NEED EXISTS FOR ONLY A PORTION OF A
PROPOSED SERVICE, A CERTIFICATE MAY BE ISSUED FOR THAT PORTION. PRIOR TO
REACHING A FINAL DETERMINATION OF NEED, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL FORWARD A
SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED SERVICE INCLUDING ANY DOCUMENTATION RECEIVED OR
SUBSEQUENT REPORTS CREATED THERETO, TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEPART-
MENT ON THE APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION. AN APPLICANT OR OTHER CONCERNED
PARTY MAY APPEAL ANY DETERMINATION MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS. APPEALS SHALL BE HEARD PURSUANT TO
THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWELVE-A OF THIS CHAPTER, AND A FINAL DETERMI-
NATION AS TO NEED SHALL BE MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER UPON REVIEW OF THE
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION BY THE PRESIDING ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE.
(B) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
SION, THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE
ISSUANCE OF AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM AGENCY CERTIFICATE WITHOUT A
DETERMINATION OF PUBLIC NEED.
S. 4020 6
§ 11. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 3019 to
read as follows:
§ 3019. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEMS TRAINING PROGRAM. 1. THERE IS HEREBY
ESTABLISHED A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEMS THAT
INCLUDES STUDENTS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PRACTITIONERS, AGENCIES,
FACILITIES, AND PERSONNEL, AND THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROVIDE FUNDING
WITHIN THE AMOUNT APPROPRIATED TO CONDUCT SUCH TRAINING PROGRAMS. UNTIL
SUCH TIME AS THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THE TRAINING PROGRAM ESTABLISHED
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IS IN EFFECT, ALL CURRENT STANDARDS, CURRICULA,
AND REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PRACTITIONERS,
AGENCIES, FACILITIES, AND PERSONNEL SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT.
2. THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL
ADVISORY COUNCIL, SHALL ESTABLISH MINIMUM EDUCATION STANDARDS, CURRIC-
ULA, AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM TRAINING
PROGRAMS. NO PERSON SHALL PROFESS TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM
TRAINING WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT.
3. THE DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE, EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH
CONTRACT, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM TRAINING FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICE PRACTITIONERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM AGENCY PERSONNEL,
DEVELOP AND DISTRIBUTE TRAINING MATERIALS FOR USE BY INSTRUCTORS, AND TO
RECRUIT ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTORS TO PROVIDE TRAINING.
4. THE DEPARTMENT MAY VISIT AND INSPECT ANY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM
TRAINING PROGRAM OR TRAINING CENTER OPERATING UNDER THIS ARTICLE AND THE
REGULATIONS ADOPTED THEREFORE TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE.
5. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED, ESTABLISH A
PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO RECRUIT ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL INTO THE EMER-
GENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM FIELDS.
6. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL, WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED, ESTABLISH AN
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM THAT
PROVIDES RESOURCES TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PRACTITIONERS TO REDUCE
BURNOUT; PREVENT DEPRESSION, SUICIDE AND OTHER NEGATIVE MENTAL HEALTH
OUTCOMES; AND INCREASE SAFETY.
7. THE DEPARTMENT MAY CREATE OR ADOPT WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMIS-
SIONER ADDITIONAL STANDARDS, TRAINING AND CRITERIA TO BECOME A CREDENT-
IALLED EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PRACTITIONER TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED,
ADVANCED, OR OTHER SERVICES THAT FURTHER SUPPORT OR ADVANCE THE EMERGEN-
CY MEDICAL SYSTEM.
§ 12. This act shall take effect immediately.
