SB246 Summary

• Authorizes the State Board of Health to establish EMS personnel licensure fees by rule rather than fixed statutory amounts, replacing previous fees of $10 for EMSP licenses and $25 for provider service licenses.

• Revises ground ambulance driver course requirements to recognize three approved options: Emergency Vehicle Operator Course approved by the Board of Health, Apparatus Operator's Course from Alabama Fire College, or Emergency Vehicle Driver Course from Alabama Fire College.

• Establishes a criminal background check process for EMS personnel applicants at initial licensure, requiring fingerprint-based state and national criminal history checks through the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and FBI.

• Requires applicants to pay all costs associated with criminal background checks at the same time they pay initial licensure fees.

• Directs the Board of Health to establish by rule a policy determining which criminal convictions would disqualify applicants from licensure, and protects conviction data as privileged information not subject to public disclosure.

• Takes effect on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.