An Act to Fund Delivery of Emergency Medical Services
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1515
Committee Amendment CA_A_H903 (House)
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-J, 32 MRSA §99, 32 MRSA §85

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "-M" to H.P. 970, L.D, 1515, "An Act to Fund
Delivery of Emergency Medical Services"
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
'An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study
Emergency Medical Services in the State*
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the following:
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, Resolve 2023, chapter 99 reestablished the Blue Ribbon Commission to
Study Emergency Medical Services m the State, which was directed to examine and make
recommendations on the structure, support and delivery of emergency medical services in
the State; and
Whereas, the commission included in its published fmal report critical
recommendations to ensure appropriate funding of the cost of sustaining emergency
medical sendces in the State, to provide for necessary regulation and oversight of the
emergency medical services system and to better support the resilience and sustainability
of that system; and
Whereas, the expedient and efficient implementation of the commission's
recommendations is necessary to support the short-term and long-term future of the
emergency medical services system at a time when many emergency medical sendces
entities are at immediate or future risk of failmg and leaving their service areas without
adequate access to emergency medical services; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore,'
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
^Oe> COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " /-^' to H,P. 970, L,D. 1515
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the
following:
'See. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-J, sub-§21 is enacted to read;
2L
EmergencY Medical Maine Emergency Legislative Per Diem and 32 MRSA §99
Services Medical Services Expenses
Commission
Sec. 2. 30-AMRSAc. 154 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 154
MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
§3171. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms
have the following meanings.
1, Ambulance service."A has the same meaning as in Title 32,
section 83, subsection 5.
2. Transportine emergencv medical services. "Transporting emergency medical
services" means emergency medical services provided by an ambulance service.
S3172. Mjunicipal emereency medical services
1. Adoption of plan. The municipal officers of a municioality may adopt a plan
stipulating the method by which transporting emereencv medical services will be delivered
within the municipality. A municipality that elects to adopt such a plan is not required
under this subsection to directly or indirectly provide or fund the delivery oftransportmg
emergency medical services within the municipality. The municipal officers may as
necessary amend a plan adopted pursuant to this subsection,
2. Posting and submission of plan. If a municipality adopts or amends a plan
pursuant to subsection 1. the municipal officers shall ensure that the plan is posted in the
sam^manner as ordinances are posted andshallsubmit_thej)lan o^ amended plan for the
purpose of collecting data to the Department of Public Safety. Maine Emereencv Medical
Services and the Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission established in Title 32»
section99, subsection 1,
Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §85, sub-§7, ^[A, as amended by PL 2021, c. 587, §1, is further
amended to read:
A, Rendered in the person's capacity as an employee or contractor of the hospital or
health care facility;
5 Sec. 4. 32 MRSA §99 is enacted to read:
6 §99. Maine Emereencv IVIedical Services Commission
1. Commission established. The M:aine Emergency Medical Services Commission.
referred to in this section as "the commission," is established pursuant to Title 5. section
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^ " to H.P. 970, L.D, 1515
^
12004-J. subsection 21 to monitor and evaluate the State's emereencv medical services
system and to provide recommendations to the appropriate state agencies and to the
Legislature reeardine necessary changes in the emereencv medical services system.
2. IVIembers. The commission consists of 26 members as follQWSi
A.Three members of the Senate, including at least one member of the party holding
the largest number of seats in the Legislature and at least one member of the party
holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Legislature, appointed by the President
QftheJSenate;
B, Three members of the House of Representatives, includine at least one member of
the party holdmfithelargestnymberofseatsinthe^^L^ and at least one member
of the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Legislature, appointed by
the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatiyesi
C, The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's desienee;
D, The director or the director's desienee;
E. The chair of the board or the chair's desienee;
F. A representative of the Governor's office as designated by the Governor;
G, The followine 6 members, appointed by the Govemor;
d) A representative of a statewide association representine hospitals;
(2) A representative of a statewide association representing ambulance services;
(31 A representative of a statewide association representing municipalities;
{41 A representative of a statewide association representing counties;
(5) A representative of a statewide association representing fire chiefs; and
(6) A member of the public;
H, The followmg 5 members, appointed by the President of the Senate:
(TL A member whois emuloved or volunteers in the field of emergency medical
services and represents a community of 10,000 or more residents;
(21 A member who is employed or volunteers in the field of emereency medical
services and represents a community of fewer than 10,000 residents;
(3) A representative of the Maine Community College System;
f4) A member with expertise in health insurance coverage, billing and associated
matters relating to the provision of emergency medical services by a licensed
emergency medical service; and
3 f5) A member reoresentine a licensed emereencv medical service primarily
engaged in theprQvisionofnonemereencv medical transportation services; and
I, The following 5 members, appQmted by the Speaker of the House of
6 Representatives;
HI A member representine a licensed emereencv medical service operating
8 primarily in a rural area of the State;
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
^->w COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " ]\" to H.P. 970, L.D. 1515
f2) A member reoresenting_alicensed emergency medical service operating
DrimarilY in a nonrural area of the State;
(3) A member who is a volunteer_emergency medical services person;
W A representative of the state chapter of a national organization reoresentins
emergency physicians; and
(5) A member representing an air medical transport service,
3. Terms. Members of the commission are apmintedfor J-year terms, except that the
terms of appointment for legislative members anoointed pursuant to subsection Z,
naraeraohs A and B coincide with their respective legislative terms of office. Members of
the commission may serve beyond their desienated terms until their successors are
appointed.
4. Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy on the commission, the member's unexmred
term must be filled through an appointment by the appointing authority for the vacant seat.
5. Quorum. A quorum of the commission consists of 14 members,
6. First meetine; officers. The director shall call the first meeting of the commission
as soon as all aooointments are made and to the extent resources are available. At the first
meeting, the commission shall select a chair, a vice-chair. a secretary and a to from
among its members. The commission may select new officers annuallv,
7. Meetines. The commission may meet as often as necessary but must meet.atJeast
quarterly, A meeting may be called by the chair or by any 4 members. The commission
shall take and maintain minutes of all meetings,
8. Staffine. To the extent resources are available, the commission may employ staff
as needed,
9. Fundine. The commission may seek, accept and expend outside funding to carry
out its duties.
10. Duties. The commission shall:
A, Regularly advise the Governor and officers of executh^e departments, the
Legislature, Maine Emergency Medical Services, licensed emergency medical services
and emergency medical services persons and any other parties affected by the
0 commission's recommendations repardine emergency medical seryices;
B, Submit a report containine the results of the commission's studies, fmdin.gs and
recommendations to the GoverncsL and to the joint standing committee of the
3 Legislature having jurisdiction over public safety matters by January 1. 2025 and
annually thereafter. As resources permit, the reportmystinclude, but is not limited to:
5 d') An assessment of existing and needed resources and expected resource needs
within the State's emergency medical services system and recommendations for
funding those needs;
(T) An evaluation of existing emergency medical services oro^rams, initiatives
and resources, including recommendations for improvements. new programs and
initiatives and funding options for oversieht and administration ojLthe^ State's
emergency medical services system;
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
c__.,A.
^c
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "M"" to H.P, 970, L.D, 1515
(3} Recommendations regarding effective management of resources withm the
State's emergency medical services system, enhancing the collection and
distribution of emergency medical services data. methods to evaluate the State s
emergency medical services system and recruitment and retention of emereencv
medical services persons, both paid and volunteer; and
{4^The^tatusofjnu^^^^ emergency medical services plans adopted and
submitted pursuant to Title 30-A, section 3172 and an analysis of those plans.
After reviewine the report submitted under this paragraph, the committee may report
out legislation relating to the report;
C. Adopt rules of procedure necessar/ to carry out the commission's duties. Rules
adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defmed in Title 5.
chapter 375, subchaoter 2-A; and
D. Conduct public hearings. conferences, workshops and other meetings to obtain
mfonnation about and discu^^^ of and solutions to problems
concerning the State's emergency medical services system,
Sec. 5. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32,
section 99, subsection 3, of the initial appointments made to the Maine Emergency Medical
Services Commission under Title 32, section 99, subsection 2, paragraphs G, H and I, each
appointing authority shall appoint 2 members for terms of 3 years, 2 members for terms of
2 years and the remaining members for terms of one year,
Sec. 6. IVIaine Emergency Medical Services funding needs analysis; report.
The Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Services shall conduct a
funding needs analysis of communities seeking to engage in regional collaboration or the
adoption of a regional model in the delivery of emergency medical services.
On or before March 1,2025, Maine Emergency Medical Services shall submit a report
describing the findings of its analysis and including recommendations and any proposed
legislation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public
safety matters. After reviewing the report, the committee may report out legislation relating
to the report to the 132nd Legislature in 2025 .
Sec. 7. Maine Emergency Medical Services structural reorganization
proposal. By December 31, 2024, the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency
Medical Services shall submit to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
jurisdiction over public safety matters a report, including proposed draft legislation, for the
reorganization of the Emergency Medical Services' Board, established m the Maine
Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-A, subsection 15, consistent with the document
titled "Maine EMS: Two-Year Action Plan" published by Maine Emergency Medical
Services on October 27, 2023. The report must include, but is not limited to, identification
8 of the necessary statutory changes and funding needs associated with the reorganization of
the Emergency Medical Services' Board and any associated structural and organizational
changes within Maine Emergency Medical Services and within the state and regional
governance system for the emergency medical services program, as outlined in the
document titled "Maine EMS; Two-Year Action Plan." After reviewing the report, the
committee may report out legislation relating to the report to the 132nd Legislature in 2025.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
A"
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^-V" to H.P. 970, L.D, 1515
Sec. 8. Maine Emergency ]Medical Services public information campaign;
report. The Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Services shall, as
resources allow, develop and, not later than July 1, 2025, implement a public information
campaign designed to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of the delivery
of emergency medical services, the design and funding of the emergency medical services
system in the State and the essentiality of the services provided by emergency medical
services entities.
On or before January 15, 2025, Maine Emergency Medical Services shall submit a
report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature havmg jurisdiction over public
safety matters regarding its development and anticipated implementation of the public
information campaign required under this section. The report must include, but is not
limited to, an assessment of the resource needs associated with the public information
campaign and identification of any anticipated resource needs not currently available
within the existing budgeted resources of Maine Emergency Medical Services necessary
for successful implementation of the campaign. After reviewing the report, the committee
may report out legislation relating to the report to the 132nd Legislature in 2025,
Sec. 9. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
LEGISLATURE
Legislature 0081
Initiative; Appropriates funds for the ongoing costs of Legislators serving on the Maine
Emergency Medical Services Commission.
GENERAL FUND 2023-24 2024-25
Personal Services $660 $660
AllOther $1,440 $2,880
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $2,100 $3,540
LEGISLATURE
DEPARTMENT TOTALS 2023-24 2024-25
3132 GENERAL FUND $2,100 $3,540
DEPARTMENT TOTAL-ALL FUNDS $2,100 $3,540
PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF
Emergency Medical Services 0485
Initiative: Provides one-time funding for a consultant to perform a funding needs analysis
of communities seeking to engage in regional collaboration or the adoption of a regional
model in the delivery of emergency medical services,
GENERAL FUND 2023-24 2024-25
AllOther $0 $150,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL $0 $150,000
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
^
2023-24
$0
$0
2023-24
$2,100
2024-25
$150,000
$150,000
2024-25
$153,540
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ";H " to H.P.970, L,D,1515
PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
GENERAL FUND
DEPARTMENT TOTAL-ALL FUNDS
SECTION TOTALS
GENERAL FUND
SECTION TOTAL-ALL FUNDS $2,100 $153,540
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved,'
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, replaces the bill and
changes the title, It adds an emergency preamble and emergency clause and does the
following.
1. It establishes a permanent Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission to
monitor and evaluate the State's emergency medical services system on. a contmuing basis
and to provide recommendations to the appropriate state agencies and to the Legislature
regarding necessary changes in the emergency medical services system.
2, It permits the municipal officers of a municipality to adopt and post a plan
stipulatmg the method by which transporting emergency medical services will be delivered
within the municipality. A municipality is not required to directly or indirectly provide or
fund the delivery of transporting emergency medical services within the municipality.
3, It amends the Maine Emergency Medical Services Act of 1982 to authorize an
emergency medical services provider to render emergency medical services within a
hospital or health care facility where the provider is a contractor of the hospital or facility,
4, It directs the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Sendces to
conduct a funding needs analysis of communities seeking to engage in regional
collaboration or the adoption of a regional model in the delivery of emergency medical
services and to submit a report describing the findings of its analysis and any associated
recommendations on or before March 1, 2025 to the joint standmg committee of the
Legislature having jurisdiction over public safety matters. The committee may report out
related legislation.
5, It directs the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Services to
submit to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "K" to H,P. 970, L.D, 1515
safety matters by December 31, 2024 a proposal, including draft legislation, regarding the
reorganization of the Emergency Medical Services' Board consistent with the document
titled "Maine EMS: Two-Year Action Plan" published by Maine Emergency Medical
Services on October 27, 2023, The committee may report out related legislation.
6. It directs the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Services, as
resources allow, to develop and, not later than July 1,2025, implement a public information
campaign designed to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of the delivery
of emergency medical services, the design and funding of the emergency medical services
system in the State and the essentiality of the services provided by emergency medical
services entities. On or before January 15, 2025, Maine Emergency Medical Services is
required to submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
jurisdiction over public safety matters regardmg its development and anticipated
implementation of the public information campaign, The committee may report out related
legislation,
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved: 03/28/24 .^K?''*-
LD 1515 LR 2333(02)
An Act to Fund Delivery of Emergency IVtedical Services
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ff
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Legislative Cost/Study
Projections Projections
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27
(et Cost (Savings)
General Fund $2,100 $153,540 $3,564 $3,588
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $2,100 $153,540 $3,564 $3,588
Legislative Cost/Study
The bill provides an ongoing appropriation of $2,100 in 2023-24 and $3,540 in 2024-25 for the costs of Legislators
serving on the Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission.
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The bill includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $150,000 in fiscal year 2024-25 to the Department of
Public Safety for a consultant to perform a funding needs analysis of communities seeking to engage in regional
collaboration or the adoption of a regional model in the delivery of emergency medical services,
Additional costs to the Office of the Governor, the Maine Community College System, the Department of Health and
Human Services and the Department of Public Safety associated with a representative serving on the commission can
be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
/Tm\ TT