2012 -- H 7578

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LC01610

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - PRIVATE AMBULANCE SERVICES

     Introduced By: Representative J. Patrick O`Neill

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2012

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 23-4.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-4.1 entitled

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"Emergency Medical Transportation Services" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     23-4.1-4. Minimum standards. -- (a) The director shall establish minimum standards to

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be met in the following areas:

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      (1) Licensing;

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      (2) Vehicles;

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      (3) Equipment for vehicles;

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      (4) Personnel;

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      (5) Training;

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      (6) Communications;

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      (7) Cooperation with other units;

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      (8) Treatment of acutely ill or injured persons by ambulance and rescue personnel; and

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      (9) Financial capacity of private ambulance service providers.

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     (b) The following minimum standards shall be enforced:

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     (1) Licensed ambulances shall be stored in a heated garage year round to ensure medical

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supplies and devices are maintained in immediate useable condition.

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     (2) Dispatchers of a private ambulance service must obtain and maintain certification in

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Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD).

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     (3) Licensed ambulances shall be kept in good physical order. The ambulances shall be

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free of rot and rust and any visible damage shall be repaired or the vehicle shall be removed from

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service.

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     (4) Licensed ambulances will no longer be considered fit for service if the vehicle

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exceeds five (5) years of age or has accumulated more than two hundred thousand (200,000)

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miles of service.

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     (5) Advanced Life Support (ALS) transports shall be reviewed for quality assurance.

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     (6) Owners and officers shall be subject to a Background Criminal Investigation (BCI)

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check performed by the state of Rhode Island. A felony conviction shall preclude the individual

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from owning, operating, being employed by or otherwise have any interest in a private ambulance

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service. Employees of a private ambulance service shall provide employers (current or

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prospective) a copy of a Background Criminal Investigation (BCI) and provide proof of a valid

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driver’s license and driver’s history.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01610

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - PRIVATE AMBULANCE SERVICES

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     This act would establish certain minimum standards for the private ambulance industry.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01610

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