BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1931
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 4, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
AB
1931 (Rodriguez) - As Amended April 25, 2016
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill conforms guidelines for investigations and discipline
of misconduct by Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic license
holders (paramedics) to current requirements for Emergency
Medical Technician-I and II (EMT-I and EMT-II) certificate
AB 1931
Page 2
holders.
In so doing, it requires Emergency Medical Services Authority
(EMSA) to promulgate regulations related to disciplinary
oversight for paramedics.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Staff costs of $130,000 GF per year for two years to EMSA to
promulgate regulations.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, California adopted a system
for the coordinated oversight of EMT-Is and EMT-IIs in AB 2917
(Torrico), Chapter 274, Statutes of 2007. That same system of
coordinated oversight does not apply to paramedics, and as a
result, paramedics are often disciplined by multiple agencies
and levels of government. The coordinated system made
applicable to other EMTs nearly a decade ago does not apply to
paramedics. The intent of this bill is to enact a
disciplinary oversight system for California's paramedics that
parallels the system currently applicable to other EMTs.
2)Background. The EMS system is a partnership between the state
EMSA, county-based or regional local EMS agencies, and other
entities such as ambulance providers, fire stations, and
hospitals. EMSA currently licenses paramedics, but to work in
the state, paramedics must also be accredited by the local EMS
agency with jurisdiction in the county of employment. EMSA
licensure requires education, practical skills, an exam, and a
background check; local EMS agency accreditation ensures a
paramedic is familiar with local policies, hospitals, and EMS
AB 1931
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systems. Disciplinary action can occur at the local level, at
the EMSA level, or at the employer level.
3)Prior Legislation. AB 1944 (Gatto) of 2012 provided paramedic
employers increased authority over disciplinary investigations
and actions for paramedics in their employment, and changed
existing roles of EMSA and the local EMS agencies with regard
to such investigations and actions. AB 1944 was held on the
Suspense File of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916)
319-2081