SB272 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom ButlerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Emergency medical services, regulation by Health Department further provided for, advanced emergency medical technicians, State Emergency Medical Control Committee, members, Secs. 22-18-1, 22-18-2, 22-18-3, 22-18-4, 22-18-6, 22-18-8, 22-18-40, 22-18-41, 22-18-42 am'd.

Summary

This bill updates Alabama's emergency medical services laws to create an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician licensure category, modernize regulation, expand the State Emergency Medical Control Committee, and allow electronic meetings and designees in EMS governance.

What This Bill Does

It aligns EMS regulation with national standards, adds a new Advanced EMT licensure category, and defines air ambulance and other EMS roles. It expands the State Emergency Medical Control Committee with more members and allows meetings by electronic means and participation by designees. It establishes licensing fees, creates a funding mechanism for enforcement, and authorizes advanced life support techniques under board rules with physician orders, including the use of limited drug kits. It governs EMS activities outside hospitals, sets credentialing and continuing education requirements, and provides enforcement tools (licensing suspensions/revocations and penalties) for noncompliance, while requiring training cost reimbursements to municipalities when the state pays for training.

Who It Affects

• Emergency medical services personnel (EMSP) at all licensure levels (EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate, EMT-paramedic, and the new Advanced EMT) by creating a new licensure category, expanding scope of practice, establishing training and continuing education requirements, and enabling advanced life support under board rules with physician orders.
• Ambulance service operators, air and ground ambulance providers, convalescent ambulance operators, and local governments (municipalities, counties, fire districts) by imposing licensing and operating standards, new fees, equipment and training requirements, and reimbursement provisions for training expenses.

Key Provisions

• Adds Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (Advanced EMT) licensure category with defined requirements (instruction, examinations, and Board of Health license).
• Creates and defines new EMS terms (ALS, AIR AMBULANCE, CONVALESCENT AMBULANCE, etc.) and expands licensing to air/ground ambulances and EMS providers.
• Expands the State Emergency Medical Control Committee (SEMCC) with additional ex officio and appointed members, sets terms, and allows meetings by electronic means and participation by designees.
• Authorizes advanced life support techniques to be performed by EMSP under board rules and physician orders; allows a drug kit with limited drugs administered under physician direction and regional medical control plans.
• Imposes licensing fees for EMS personnel and ambulance operators; requires funds to be kept in a separate account; restricts fees for volunteers and certain grants; allows dual licensure for EMTs without extra fees.
• Establishes training and licensing prerequisites, continuing education requirements, and grounds for suspension or revocation of licenses or certificates; sets penalties for hindering EMS or violating provisions.
• Provides reimbursement obligations to municipalities or counties for training costs incurred by EMS personnel when paid by the government; requires itemized statements and collection remedies.
• Clarifies outside-hospital EMS regulation, including rules for transport, equipment, and orders for care to be provided outside hospitals, and ensures compatibility with hospital-based law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Emergency Medical Services