SB246 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

EMS personel, revise licensing process to authorize criminal background checks, revise licensing fees, etc., Secs. 22-18-4, 22-18-6 am'd.

Summary

SB 246 would authorize new EMS licensing fees, update training requirements for EMS personnel and ambulance drivers, and require criminal background checks for initial EMS licensure.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the Board of Health could set EMS licensing fees (EMSP licenses: $10 for 24 months; provider licenses: $25 for up to 12 months) with renewals at the same rates. It updates course requirements so EMSP training must follow a USDOT-based curriculum, with optional modules allowed by rule. It also requires criminal background checks at initial licensure, including fingerprint-based checks paid by applicants, with results shared with the board and kept confidential, and it adds grounds for suspending or revoking licenses for misconduct or other specified issues.

Who It Affects

• EMS personnel (EMSP) seeking initial licensure would face new background checks, updated training requirements, and licensing fees.
• EMS provider services (air or ground ambulance operators) would face licensing fees and updated training/licensing standards, plus license duration rules.

Key Provisions

• authorize the Board of Health to establish licensure fees by rule: $10 per EMSP license valid 24 months; $25 per provider service license valid up to 12 months; renewal fees equal to original license fees; volunteer squads are exempt unless licensure is requested, in which case a fee applies.
• fees collected are retained in a separate enforcement fund and used to enforce the chapter; no fee for volunteer rescue squad permits unless licensure is sought.
• require EMSP courses to be approved and conform to USDOT curricula, with optional modules allowed by rule; ground ambulance driver training must meet specified course requirements.
• require ambulance licensing and mandate that ground ambulances be operated by a driver with a valid license and who has passed approved driver courses (Emergency Vehicle Operator Course or equivalent).
• add grounds for suspension or revocation of EMSP licenses or provider licenses for a list of misconduct, fraud, unlicensed practice, exceeding scope, harm to patients, or other specified violations.
• authorize fingerprint-based state and national criminal history background checks for initial licensure; applicants pay the costs; results are provided to the board and kept confidential; establish rules to determine which convictions would disqualify licensure.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Emergency Medical Services