Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 215 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Sen. Owens, Derrin R.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/25/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• grants authority to and requires municipalities and counties to ensure that a minimum level of ground ambulance interfacility transport services are provided within the respective municipality or county;
• requires a municipality or county to conduct a review and evaluation of emergency medical service provider's sevices every four years;
• requires a municipality or county to request competitive sealed proposals for the purpose of evaluating alternative qualified emergency medical service providers;
• removes the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services Management (bureau) from involvement in the process by which a municipality or county selects emergency medical service providers, except verifying and providing notice that an applicant emergency medical service provider meets minimum requirements;
• recognizes the bureau's jurisdiction to discipline non-911 ambulance service providers;
• requires a county or municipality to:
• offer a first right to provide interfacility transports to the current 911 ambulance service provider;
• conduct formal reviews of 911 service providers and interfacility transport service providers;
• grants investigative authority to the bureau;
• makes it a class B misdemeanor to willfully disobey a valid subpoena or cease and desist letter from the bureau; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

40
11-48-103
53-2d-103
53-2d-505
53-2d-505.1
53-2d-505.2
53-2d-505.3
53-2d-505.4
53-2d-505.5
53-2d-506
53-2d-507
53-2d-508
53-2d-509
53-2d-604
53-2d-606.5
53-2d-607
11-48-103
53-2d-103
53-2d-505
53-2d-505.1
53-2d-505.2
53-2d-505.3
53-2d-505.4
53-2d-505.5
53-2d-506
53-2d-507
53-2d-508
53-2d-509
53-2d-604
53-2d-606.5
53-2d-607
0
Emergency Medical Services Modifications
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Derrin R. Owens
House Sponsor: Jefferson Moss
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses ground ambulance interfacility transport services. 
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
grants authority to and requires municipalities and counties to ensure that a minimum 
level of ground ambulance interfacility transport services are provided within the 
respective municipality or county;
requires a municipality or county to conduct a review and evaluation of an emergency 
medical service provider's services every four years;
requires a municipality or county to request competitive sealed proposals for the purpose 
of evaluating alternative qualified emergency medical service providers;
removes the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (bureau) from involvement in the 
process by which a municipality or county selects emergency medical service providers, 
except verifying and providing notice that an applicant emergency medical service 
provider meets minimum requirements; 
recognizes the bureau's jurisdiction to discipline non-911 ambulance service providers;
requires a county or municipality to:
offer a first right to provide interfacility transports to the current 911 ambulance 
service provider; and
conduct formal reviews of 911 service providers and interfacility transport service 
providers;
grants investigative authority to the bureau;
makes it a class B misdemeanor to willfully disobey a valid subpoena or cease and desist 
letter from the bureau; and
makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
11-48-103
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 506
53-2d-103
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310 and 
last amended by Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 307
53-2d-505
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310
53-2d-604
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310
53-2d-607
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310 and 
last amended by Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 307
ENACTS:
53-2d-606.5
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
REPEALS:
53-2d-505.1
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310
53-2d-505.2
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 16 and renumbered and 
amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310
53-2d-505.3
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 435 and renumbered and 
amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310
53-2d-505.4
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310 and 
last amended by Coordination Clause, Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 307
53-2d-505.5
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310
53-2d-506
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310
53-2d-507
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310
53-2d-508
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 307, 310
53-2d-509
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 147
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
11-48-103
 is amended to read:
11-48-103
. Provision of ambulance services in municipalities and counties.
(1)
The governing body of each municipality and county 
has exclusive authority to and 
shall, subject to Title 53, Chapter 2d, Part 5, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers, 
ensure at least a minimum level of 911 ambulance services 
and ground ambulance 
interfacility transport services 
are provided:
(a)
within the territorial limits of the municipality or county;
(b)
by a ground ambulance provider, licensed by the Bureau of Emergency Medical 
Services under Title 53, Chapter 2d, Part 5, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers; and
(c)
in accordance with rules established by the Trauma System and Emergency Medical 
Services Committee under Section 
53-2d-105
.
(2)
(a)
A municipality or county may:
(a)
(i)
subject to Subsection (3), 
provide, 
maintain
,
 and support 911 ambulance 
services for the municipality's or county's own jurisdiction; or
(b)
(ii)
contract to:
enter into an interlocal agreement or procurement contract with 
a public or private entity to provide, receive, support, or maintain 911 ambulance 
services or ground ambulance interfacility transport services, under any 
arrangement and to any extent that the municipality or county determines.
(i)
provide 911 ambulance services to any county, municipal corporation, special 
district, special service district, interlocal entity, private corporation, nonprofit 
corporation, state agency, or federal agency;
(ii)
receive 911 ambulance services from any county, municipal corporation, special 
district, special service district, interlocal entity, private corporation, nonprofit 
corporation, state agency, or federal agency;
(iii)
jointly provide 911 ambulance services with any county, municipal corporation, 
special district, special service district, interlocal entity, private corporation, 
nonprofit corporation, state agency, or federal agency; or
(iv)
contribute toward the support of 911 ambulance services in any county, 
municipal corporation, special district, special service district, interlocal entity, 
private corporation, nonprofit corporation, state agency, or federal agency in 
return for 911 ambulance services.
(b)
(i)
A municipality or county shall enter into an interlocal agreement with a public 
or private entity for the provision of backup interfacility transport services.
(ii)
An interlocal agreement described in Subsection 
(2)(b)
(i) may be used when the 
primary interfacility transport service provider is unavailable.
(iii)
A municipality or county shall share a copy of the interlocal agreement described 
in Subsection 
(2)(b)(i)
 with dispatchers and health care facilities within the 
municipality's or county's jurisdiction.
(3)
(a)
Subject to Subsections (3)(b) and (c), at the expiration of a license term under 
Section 
53-2d-501
, a county or municipality shall offer a first right to provide 
interfacility transports for an area to the current 911 ambulance service provider for 
that area.
(b)
If the first right under Subsection (3)(a) is not exercised, the county or municipality 
shall ensure that 911 ambulance services are provided in accordance with this section.
(c)
If the current 911 ambulance service provider under Subsection (3)(a) is not the 
current interfacility transport provider, the current interfacility provider's license shall 
remain intact until the later of:
(i)
two years after the enactment of this Subsection 
(3)
; or
(ii)
the day of the next formal review conducted in accordance with Subsection (4).
(4)
(a)
A county or municipality shall conduct a formal review of 911 service providers 
and interfacility transport service providers:
(i)
in an open and public meeting in accordance with Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and 
Public Meetings Act; and
(ii)
not more than three months prior to the day on which the current license is set to 
expire under Subsection 
53-2d-501(2)
.
(b)
The review under Subsection 
(4)(a)
 shall evaluate the cost, quality, and access goals 
for the county's or municipality's emergency medical services in the geographic area 
pursuant to rule made by the division.
(c)
The county or municipality conducting a review under Section (4)(b) shall issue a 
formal request for proposals for the purpose of evaluating alternative qualified 
emergency medical service providers and interfacility transport providers, including 
for-profit emergency medical service providers, government-operated emergency 
medical service providers, and quasi-governmental emergency medical service 
providers.
(3)
(5)
(a)
A municipality or county that 
provides, 
maintains
,
 and supports 911 
ambulance services for the municipality's or county's own jurisdiction under 
Subsection (2)(a) shall obtain a license as a ground ambulance provider from the 
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services under Title 53, Chapter 2d, Part 5, 
Ambulance and Paramedic Providers.
(b)
Sections 
53-2d-505
 through 
53-2d-505.3
 do not apply to a license described in 
Subsection (3)(a).
Section 2, Section 
53-2d-103
 is amended to read:
53-2d-103
. Bureau duties -- Data sharing.
(1)
The bureau shall:
(a)
coordinate the emergency medical services within the state;
(b)
administer 
and enforce 
any programs and applicable rules created under this chapter;
(c)
establish a voluntary task force representing a diversity of emergency medical 
service providers to advise the bureau and the committee on rules;
(d)
establish an emergency medical service personnel peer review board to advise the 
bureau concerning discipline of emergency medical service personnel under this 
chapter; and
(e)
adopt rules in accordance with 
Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative 
Rulemaking Act
, to:
(i)
license ambulance providers and paramedic providers;
(ii)
permit ambulances, emergency medical response vehicles, and nonemergency 
secured behavioral health transport vehicles, including approving an emergency 
vehicle operator's course in accordance with Section 
53-2d-404
;
(iii)
establish:
(A)
the qualifications for membership of the peer review board created by this 
section;
(B)
a process for placing restrictions on a license while an investigation is pending;
(C)
the process for the investigation and recommendation by the peer review 
board; and
(D)
the process for determining the status of a license while a peer review board 
investigation is pending;
(iv)
establish application, submission, and procedural requirements for licenses, 
designations, and permits; and
(v)
establish and implement the programs, plans, and responsibilities as specified in 
other sections of this chapter.
(2)
(a)
The bureau shall share data related to the bureau's duties with the Department of 
Health and Human Services.
(b)
The Department of Health and Human Services shall share data related to the 
bureau's duties with the bureau.
(c)
All data collected by the bureau under this chapter is subject to 
Title 26B, Chapter 8, 
Part 4, Health Statistics
, including data privacy protections.
Section 3, Section 
53-2d-505
 is amended to read:
53-2d-505
. Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses.
(1)
If the bureau determines that the application meets the minimum requirements for 
licensure under Section 
53-2d-504
, the bureau shall issue a notice of the approved 
application to the applicant.
(2)
A current license holder responding to a request for proposal under Section 
53-2d-505.2
is considered an approved applicant for purposes of Section 
53-2d-505.2
 if the current 
license holder, prior to responding to the request for proposal, submits the following to 
the department:
(a)
the information described in Subsections 
53-2d-504(4)(a)(i)
 through 
(iii)
; and
(b)
(i)
if the license holder is a private entity, a financial statement, a pro forma 
budget and necessary letters of credit demonstrating a financial ability to expand 
service to a new service area; or
(ii)
if the license holder is a governmental entity, a letter from the governmental 
entity's governing body demonstrating the governing body's willingness to 
financially support the application.
Section 4, Section 
53-2d-604
 is amended to read:
53-2d-604
. Discipline of designated and licensed providers.
(1)
The bureau may refuse to issue a license or designation or a renewal, or revoke, 
suspend, restrict, or place on probation, 
an
any
 emergency medical service provider's 
license or designation
, including the license or designation of a non-911 service provider,
if the provider has:
(a)
failed to abide by terms of the license or designation;
(b)
violated statute or rule;
(c)
failed to provide services at the level or in the exclusive geographic service area 
required by the license or designation;
(d)
failed to submit a renewal application in a timely fashion as required by department 
rule;
(e)
failed to follow operational standards established by the committee; or
(f)
committed an act in the performance of a professional duty that endangered the 
public or constituted gross negligence.
(2)
(a)
An action to revoke, suspend, restrict, or place a license or designation on 
probation shall be done in accordance with 
Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative 
Procedures Act
.
(b)
Notwithstanding Subsection 
(2)(a)
, the department may issue a cease and desist 
order under Section 
53-2d-607
 to immediately suspend a license or designation 
pending an administrative proceeding to be held within 30 days if there is evidence to 
show that the provider or facility poses a clear, immediate, and unjustifiable threat or 
potential threat to the public health, safety, or welfare.
Section 5, Section 
53-2d-606.5
 is enacted to read:
53-2d-606.5
. Investigative authority of the bureau -- Subpoenas -- Criminal 
penalty.
(1)
In connection with conducting a formal investigation or any matters pending before the 
peer review board, the bureau may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena 
witnesses, take evidence, and require by subpoena duces tecum the production of 
relevant papers, records, or other documents or information.
(2)
A person who willfully disobeys a valid subpoena issued by the bureau is guilty of a 
class B misdemeanor.
Section 6, Section 
53-2d-607
 is amended to read:
53-2d-607
. Cease and desist letters -- Criminal penalty.
(1)
The bureau may issue a cease and desist order to any person who:
(1)
(a)
may be disciplined under Section 
53-2d-603
 or 
53-2d-604
; or
(2)
(b)
otherwise violates this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter.
(2)
An individual who willfully disobeys a valid cease and desist letter issued by the bureau 
is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Section 7, 
Repealer.
Selection of provider by political subdivision.
Selection of provider -- Request for competitive sealed proposal -- 
Public convenience and necessity.
Use of competitive sealed proposals -- Procedure -- Appeal rights.
Non-911 provider -- Finding of meritorious complaint -- Request 
for proposals.
Use of competitive sealed proposals -- Procedure -- Appeal rights.
Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses -- Parties.
Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses -- Proceedings.
Criteria for determining public convenience and necessity.
Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses -- Hearing and presiding 
officers.
Section 8. 
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on 
May 7, 2025
.
3-13-25 12:34 PM