Bill

Bill > LD245


ME LD245

ME LD245
An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services in the State


summary

Introduced
01/16/2025
In Committee
01/16/2025
Crossed Over
06/12/2025
Passed
06/25/2025
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill does the following. 1. It establishes a permanent Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission to monitor and evaluate the State's emergency medical services system on a continuing basis and to provide recommendations to the appropriate state agencies and to the Legislature regarding necessary changes in the emergency medical services system. 2. It permits the municipal officers of a municipality to adopt and post a plan stipulating the method by which transporting emergency medical services will be delivered within the municipality. A municipality is not required to directly or indirectly provide or fund the delivery of transporting emergency medical services within the municipality. 3. It amends the Maine Emergency Medical Services Act of 1982 to authorize an emergency medical services provider to render emergency medical services within a hospital or health care facility where the provider is a contractor of the hospital or facility. 4. It directs the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Services to conduct a funding needs analysis of communities seeking to engage in regional collaboration or the adoption of a regional model in the delivery of emergency medical services and to submit a report describing the findings of its analysis and any associated recommendations on or before December 3, 2025 to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. The committee may report out related legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. 5. It directs the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Services to submit to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety by December 3, 2025 a proposal, including draft legislation, regarding the reorganization of the Emergency Medical Services' Board consistent with the document titled "Maine EMS: Two-Year Action Plan" published by Maine Emergency Medical Services on October 27, 2023. The committee may report out related legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature. 6. It directs the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Services, as resources allow, to develop and, not later than July 1, 2026, implement a public information campaign designed to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of the delivery of emergency medical services, the design and funding of the emergency medical services system in the State and the essentiality of the services provided by emergency medical services entities. On or before December 3, 2025, Maine Emergency Medical Services is required to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety regarding its development and anticipated implementation of the public information campaign. The committee may report out related legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework to address emergency medical services (EMS) challenges in the state, creating a new Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission comprised of 26 members from various stakeholder groups including legislators, state agency representatives, healthcare professionals, emergency services providers, and public representatives. The commission will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the state's EMS system, providing recommendations to state agencies and the Legislature, and submitting annual reports with detailed assessments of EMS resources, programs, and challenges. The bill also introduces new provisions allowing municipalities to adopt plans for delivering emergency medical services, mandates a funding needs analysis for regional EMS collaboration, requires a structural reorganization proposal for the EMS Board, and calls for a public information campaign to enhance understanding of emergency medical services. Additionally, the bill makes minor technical changes, such as allowing hospital or healthcare facility services to be provided by employees or contractors, and establishes a staggered appointment process for the new commission's initial members. The legislation is framed as an emergency measure, recognizing the critical need to support and sustain emergency medical services in the state, particularly in areas at risk of losing adequate emergency medical coverage.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

HELD BY THE GOVERNOR. (on 07/08/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...