1     
UTAH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM ACT

2     
AMENDMENTS

3     
2019 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: Kay J. Christofferson

6     
Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

7     

8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This bill amends provisions relating to certain emergency medical service provider
11     licenses.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This bill:
14          ▸     removes a restriction on 911 ambulance or paramedic services providers from
15     applying for a license to provide a higher level of service; and
16          ▸     makes technical changes.
17     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18          None
19     Other Special Clauses:
20          None
21     Utah Code Sections Affected:
22     AMENDS:
23          26-8a-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
24          26-8a-405, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 213
25     

26     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27          Section 1. Section 26-8a-404 is amended to read:
28          26-8a-404. Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses -- Application and
29     department review.
30          (1) Except as provided in Section 26-8a-413, an applicant for a ground ambulance or
31     paramedic license shall apply to the department for a license only by:
32          (a) submitting a completed application;
33          (b) providing information in the format required by the department; and
34          (c) paying the required fees, including the cost of the hearing officer.
35          (2) The department shall make rules establishing minimum qualifications and
36     requirements for:
37          (a) personnel;
38          (b) capital reserves;
39          (c) equipment;
40          (d) a business plan;
41          (e) operational procedures;
42          (f) medical direction agreements;
43          (g) management and control; and
44          (h) other matters that may be relevant to an applicant's ability to provide ground
45     ambulance or paramedic service.
46          (3) An application for a license to provide ground ambulance service or paramedic
47     service shall be for all ground ambulance services or paramedic services arising within the
48     geographic service area, except that an applicant may apply for a license for less than all
49     ground ambulance services or all paramedic services arising within an exclusive geographic
50     area if it can demonstrate how the remainder of that area will be served.
51          (4) (a) A ground ambulance service licensee may apply to the department for a license
52     to provide a higher level of service as defined by department rule if the application includes:
53          [(i) the application for the license is limited to non-911 ambulance or paramedic
54     services; and]
55          [(ii) the application includes:]
56          [(A)] (i) a copy of the new treatment protocols for the higher level of service approved
57     by the off-line medical director;
58          [(B)] (ii) an assessment of field performance by the applicant's off-line director; and
59          [(C)] (iii) an updated plan of operation demonstrating the ability of the applicant to
60     provide the higher level of service.
61          (b) If the department determines that the applicant has demonstrated the ability to
62     provide the higher level of service in accordance with Subsection (4)(a), the department shall
63     issue a revised license reflecting the higher level of service and the requirements of Section
64     26-8a-408 do not apply.
65          (5) Upon receiving a completed application and the required fees, the department shall
66     review the application and determine whether the application meets the minimum
67     qualifications and requirements for licensure.
68          (6) The department may deny an application if it finds that it contains any materially
69     false or misleading information, is incomplete, or if the application demonstrates that the
70     applicant fails to meet the minimum qualifications and requirements for licensure under
71     Subsection (2).
72          (7) If the department denies an application, it shall notify the applicant in writing
73     setting forth the grounds for the denial. A denial may be appealed under Title 63G, Chapter 4,
74     Administrative Procedures Act.
75          Section 2. Section 26-8a-405 is amended to read:
76          26-8a-405. Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses -- Agency notice of
77     approval.
78          (1) Beginning January 1, 2004, if the department determines that the application meets
79     the minimum requirements for licensure under Section 26-8a-404, the department shall issue a
80     notice of the approved application to the applicant.
81          (2) A current license holder responding to a request for proposal under Section
82     26-8a-405.2 is considered an approved applicant for purposes of Section 26-8a-405.2 if the
83     current license holder, prior to responding to the request for proposal, submits the following to
84     the department:
85          (a) the information [required by Subsection 26-8a-404(4)(a)(ii)] described in
86     Subsections 26-8a-404(4)(a)(i) through (iii); and
87          (b) (i) if the license holder is a private entity, a financial statement, a pro forma budget
88     and necessary letters of credit demonstrating a financial ability to expand service to a new
89     service area; or
90          [(c)] (ii) if the license holder is a governmental entity, a letter from the governmental
91     entity's governing body demonstrating the governing body's willingness to financially support
92     the application.