BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1245
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 18, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 1245 (Williams) - As Amended: May 5, 2011
Policy Committee: HealthVote:18-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes the Emergency Medical Services Authority
(EMSA) to adopt state standards for an Emergency Medical
Responder (EMR) training program. The bill further specifies
that it does not authorize EMSA to adopt a new category of EMS
personnel.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor and absorbable costs to EMSA to develop regulations if
EMSA chooses to use the authority granted in this bill.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . This bill authorizes EMSA to establish standards
for a level of EMS training that does not currently exist in
the state. Currently, there are three levels of EMS training:
EMT, Advanced EMT, and paramedic. A recent national study
recommended states establish four levels of EMS personnel,
including EMR.
2)National EMS Scope of Practice Model . Recently, the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) funded the
National EMS Scope of Practice Model project in order to
establish national standards for EMS personnel. The model
defines and describes four levels of EMS licensure: Emergency
Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT),
Advanced EMT (AEMT), and Paramedic. According to the NHTSA
website, states following the model will increase the
consistency of the nomenclature and competencies of EMS
personnel nationwide, facilitate reciprocity, improve
professional mobility, and enhance the name recognition and
AB 1245
Page 2
public understanding of EMS.
3)EMR Training . According to NHTSA, the primary focus of the EMR
is to initiate immediate lifesaving care to critical patients
who access the emergency medical system. This individual
possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide
lifesaving interventions while awaiting additional EMS
response and to assist higher level personnel at the scene and
during transport. Emergency Medical Responders function as
part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight.
EMRs perform basic interventions with minimal equipment.
One of the eligibility requirements for licensure at this
level requires successful completion of an accredited
Emergency Medical Responder training program.
4)Related Legislation . AB 2917 (Torrico), Chapter 274, Statutes
of 2008 requires the EMSA to establish a statewide EMT
registry and develop standards, guidelines, and regulations
for certification of specified EMTs.
AB 941 (Torrico) of 2007 would have required EMSA to maintain
a central registry of EMT-I and EMT-II certification status
and EMT-P licensure status and would have established related
guidlelines and standards. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed AB
941 due to concerns that it lacked important operational
details, and instructed the Health and Human Services Agency
secretary to work collaboratively on future legislation.
Analysis Prepared by : Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081