Bill > H4120

This bill establishes emergency medical services (EMS) as an essential service in Massachusetts by creating a new EMS Essential Service Fund and designating a comprehensive framework for supporting and improving emergency medical services statewide. The bill creates a dedicated fund to provide financial support for EMS agencies, which can receive funding from appropriations, private sector contributions, federal grants, and other sources, with money remaining in the fund at year-end not reverting to the General Fund. The legislation requires the establishment of an advisory committee to guide EMS development, mandates the creation of statewide standards for EMS delivery that include response time benchmarks, training requirements, and resource allocation guidelines, and requires annual reporting on EMS status, funding needs, workforce challenges, and service effectiveness. The bill prioritizes EMS agencies in state and local planning efforts, encourages regionalization of services to improve efficiency, and mandates regular audits of agencies receiving funding to ensure compliance with state standards. By establishing this comprehensive approach, the bill aims to improve emergency medical services' consistency, quality, and accessibility across urban, suburban, and rural areas of Massachusetts, with a particular focus on addressing service disparities and supporting EMS professionals.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4120