SB339

By Senator Dial

ENROLLED, An Act,

Relating to emergency medical services; to amend Sections 22-18-3 and 22-18-40 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to delete references to the EMS Advisory Board and to add eight members to the State Emergency Medical Control Committee; to specify that each member of the State Medical Emergency Control Committee would have voting privileges; and to repeal Section 22-18-5, Code of Alabama 1975, providing for the EMS Advisory Board.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Sections 22-18-3 and 28-18-40 of the Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:

§22-18-3.

"(a) In the manner provided in this section, the Board of Health, with advice and recommendation of the advisory board, shall establish and publish reasonable rules and regulations for the training, qualification, scope of privilege, and licensing of EMSP, and provider services, and for the operation, design, equipment, and licensing of air and ground ambulances. In adopting rules and regulations, the Board of Health shall follow the provisions of the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, and shall, in all cases, hold one or more public hearings prior to adoption, amendment, or rescission of any rule or regulation. At such hearing, any interested person, firm, or corporation or any member of the public may be heard. Any person, firm, or corporation affected by any regulation, amendment, or rescission hereof may appeal consideration thereof to the Circuit Court of Montgomery County pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.

"(b) Regulations adopted under this section shall become effective as provided in the Administrative Procedure Act. From any judgment of the circuit court in any case appealed to it, an appeal shall be made pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.

§22-18-40.

"(a) The board shall be assisted in formulating rules and policy pertaining to emergency medical services by the State Emergency Medical Control Committee (SEMCC). Each member of the SEMCC shall have voting privileges. Members of the SEMCC shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of their office at the same rate paid state employees. The chair of SEMCC may establish subcommittees of SEMCC comprised of representatives from ambulance, fire, rescue, and other EMS groups, as needed.

"(b) The SEMCC shall be composed as follows:

"(1) The medical directors of each EMS region designated by the board as ex officio members with voting privileges.

"(2) One member who shall be a physician appointed by the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

"(3) One member who shall be a physician appointed by the State Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons.

"(4) One member who shall be a physician appointed by the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"(5) The State EMS Medical Director, as an ex officio member with voting privileges, who shall serve as its chair.

"(6) The State Trauma Consultant if a physician is designated as such by the Board of Health or pursuant to other procedure established by law as an ex officio member with voting privileges.

"(7) One member who shall be an Alabama physician appointed by the Alabama Chapter of the Association of Air Medical Services.

"(8) The Chair of the State EMS Advisory Board, as ex officio member with no voting privileges.

"(9) (8) One member who shall be a physician appointed by the Alabama Hospital Association.

"(9) One member who shall be a paramedic licensed in this state appointed by the Alabama Ambulance Association.

"(10) One member who shall be a paramedic licensed in this state appointed by the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads.

"(11) One member who shall be a paramedic licensed in this state appointed by the Alabama Emergency Medical Services Association.

"(12) One member who shall be a paramedic licensed in this state appointed by the Alabama Chapter of the Association of Air Medical Services.

"(13) One member who shall be a paramedic licensed in this state appointed by the Professional Firefighters of Alabama.

"(14) One member who shall be a paramedic licensed in this state appointed by the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments.

"(15) One member who shall be a paramedic licensed in this state appointed by the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs.

"(16) One member who shall be a paramedic licensed in this state appointed by the Alabama Firefighters Association.

"(17) One member who shall be an educator involved in the development or instruction of an EMS training and education program at an Alabama Community College System (ACCS) institution appointed by the State EMS Medical Director.

"(18) Two physicians appointed by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.

"(c) Each representative shall serve for a period of four years or until his or her successor is appointed, whichever is sooner.

"(d) Any vacancy shall be filled by the organization selecting the vacating member. In case of a vacancy, the new appointee shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

"(e) Each ex officio member's term is indefinite.

"(f) With the consent of a majority of the members, the chair shall set requirements for proxy representation, voting, and the establishment of a quorum.

"(g) The membership of the SEMCC shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state."

Section 2. Section 22-18-5, Code of Alabama 1975, is repealed.

Section 3. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Health

Emergency Medical Control Committee

Emergency Medical Services

Health Department

Health, Board of

Code Repealed

Code Amended