CA AB3115

Establishes the Community Paramedicine or Triage to Alternate Destination Act of 2018, effective until January 1, 2025, authorizing local EMS agencies to develop programs for paramedics to provide community healthcare services and transport patients to alternate destinations instead of hospitals.

Requires the Emergency Medical Services Authority to develop regulations establishing minimum standards for community paramedicine programs (post-discharge follow-up, tuberculosis therapy, case management) and triage programs (hospice care support, mental health facility transport, sobering center transport).

Mandates local EMS agencies to integrate approved programs into their emergency medical services plans, coordinate with providers, establish training and accreditation processes, and submit data to the authority for review and oversight.

Increases the Commission on Emergency Medical Services from 18 to 20 members and requires additional emergency medical care committee members (emergency physician, nurse, paramedic, hospital representative, and specialists in substance use disorder or mental health) to advise on program development.

Prohibits unauthorized persons or organizations from providing these services and requires community and triage paramedics to be certified and employed by authorized providers; requires an independent third-party report on program outcomes by June 1, 2023.