An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0245
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS, SALISBURY
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-J, 32 MRSA §99, 32 MRSA §85

Legislative Document
No. 245
S.P. 111
In Senate, January 21, 2025
An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon 
Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services in the State
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Secretary of the Senate on January 16, 2025.  Referred to the Committee 
on Criminal Justice and Public Safety pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative SALISBURY of Westbrook.
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 in 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 final report critical 
recommendations to ensure appropriate funding to cover the cost of sustaining emergency 
medical services 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 services 
entities are at immediate or future risk of failing 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,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-J, sub-§22 is enacted to read:
22.   
Emergency Medical 
Services 
Maine Emergency 
Medical Services 
Commission
Legislative Per Diem and 
Expenses
MRSA §99
Sec. 2.  30-A MRSA c. 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.  "Ambulance service" has the same meaning as in Title 32, 
section 83, subsection 5.
2.  Transporting emergency medical services.  "Transporting emergency medical 
services" means emergency medical services provided by an ambulance service.
§3172.  Municipal emergency medical services
1.  Adoption of plan.  The municipal officers of a municipality may adopt a plan 
stipulating the method by which transporting emergency 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 of transporting 
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 
same manner as ordinances are posted and shall submit the plan or amended plan for the 
purpose of collecting data to the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical 
Services and the Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission established in Title 32, 
section 99, 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;
Sec. 4.  32 MRSA §99 is enacted to read:
§99.  Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission
1.  Commission established.  The Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission, 
referred to in this section as "the commission," is established pursuant to Title 5, section 
12004-J, subsection 22 to monitor and evaluate the State's emergency medical services 
system and to provide recommendations to the appropriate state agencies and to the 
Legislature regarding necessary changes in the emergency medical services system.  
2.  Members.  The commission consists of 26 members as follows:
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 
of the Senate;
B.  Three members of the House of Representatives, 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 Speaker of the House of Representatives;
C.  The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee;
D.  The director or the director's designee;
E.  The chair of the board or the chair's designee;
F.  A representative of the Governor's office as designated by the Governor;
G.  The following 5 members, appointed by the President of the Senate:
(1)  A member who is employed or volunteers in the field of emergency medical 
services and represents a community of 10,000 or more residents;
(2)  A member who is employed or volunteers in the field of emergency medical 
services and represents a community of fewer than 10,000 residents;
(3)  A representative of the Maine Community College System;
(4)  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
(5)  A member representing a licensed emergency medical service primarily 
engaged in the provision of nonemergency medical transportation services;
H.  The following 5 members, appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives:
(1)  A member representing a licensed emergency medical service operating 
primarily in a rural area of the State;
(2)  A member representing a licensed emergency medical service operating 
primarily in a nonrural area of the State;
(3)  A member who is a volunteer emergency medical services person;
(4)  A representative of the state chapter of a national organization representing 
emergency physicians; and
(5) A member representing an air medical transport service; and
I.  The following 6 members, appointed by the Governor:
(1)  A representative of a statewide association representing hospitals;
(2)  A representative of a statewide association representing ambulance services;
(3)  A representative of a statewide association representing municipalities;
(4)  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.
3.  Terms.  Members of the commission are appointed for 3-year terms, except that the 
terms of appointment for legislative members appointed pursuant to subsection 2, 
paragraphs A and B coincide with their respective legislative terms of office.  Members of 
the commission may serve beyond their designated terms until their successors are 
appointed.
4.  Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy on the commission, the member's unexpired 
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 meeting; officers.  The director shall call the first meeting of the commission 
as soon as all appointments 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 treasurer from 
among its members.  The commission may select new officers annually.
7.  Meetings.  The commission may meet as often as necessary but shall meet at least 
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.  Staffing.  To the extent resources are available, the commission may employ staff 
as needed.  
9.  Funding.  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 executive departments, the 
Legislature, Maine Emergency Medical Services, licensed emergency medical service 
and emergency medical services persons and any other parties affected by the 
commission's recommendations regarding emergency medical services;
B.  Submit a report containing the results of the commission's studies, findings and 
recommendations to the Governor and to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over public safety matters by January 1, 2026 and 
annually thereafter.  As resources permit, the report must include, but is not limited to:
(1)  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;
(2)  An evaluation of existing emergency medical services programs, initiatives 
and resources, including recommendations for improvements, new programs and 
initiatives and funding options for oversight and administration of the State's 
emergency medical services system;
(3)  Recommendations regarding effective management of resources within 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 emergency 
medical services persons, both paid and volunteer; and
(4)  The status of municipal emergency medical services plans adopted and 
submitted pursuant to Title 30-A, section 3172 and an analysis of those plans. 
After reviewing the report submitted under this paragraph, the committee may report 
out legislation relating to the report;
C.  Adopt rules of procedure necessary to carry out the commission's duties.  Rules 
adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A; and
D.  Conduct public hearings, conferences, workshops and other meetings to obtain 
information about and discuss and publicize the needs 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 
years and the remaining members for a term of one year.
Sec. 6.  Maine 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 December 3, 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 on Criminal Justice and Public 
Safety. After reviewing the report, the committee may report out legislation relating to the 
report to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
Sec. 7.  Maine Emergency Medical Services structural reorganization 
proposal.  By December 3, 2025, the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency 
Medical Services shall submit to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and 
Public Safety a report, including proposed draft legislation, for the reorganization of the 
Emergency Medical Services' Board, established in 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 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 Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
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, 2026, 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 December 3, 2025, Maine Emergency Medical Services shall submit a 
report to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety 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 Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill 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 continuing 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 
stipulating 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 Services 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 December 3, 2025 to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Criminal Justice and Public Safety.  The committee may report out related legislation to 
the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature.
5.  It directs the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Services to 
submit to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety by December 
3, 2025 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 to the Second Regular Session of 
the 132nd Legislature. 
6.  It directs the Department of Public Safety, Maine Emergency Medical Services, as 
resources allow, to develop and, not later than July 1, 2026, 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 December 3, 2025, Maine Emergency Medical Services is 
required to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public 
Safety regarding its development and anticipated implementation of the public information 
campaign.  The committee may report out related legislation to the Second Regular Session 
of the 132nd Legislature.