CA SB944

Creates the Community Paramedicine Act of 2018, authorizing local EMS agencies to develop community paramedicine programs until January 1, 2025, to provide services including postdischarge follow-up, tuberculosis therapy, case management for frequent EMS users, hospice support, and transport to alternate destination facilities.

Establishes the Community Paramedicine Medical Oversight Committee with 11 members appointed by the Governor to advise the Emergency Medical Services Authority and approve minimum medical protocols for community paramedicine specialties.

Requires the Emergency Medical Services Authority to develop regulations establishing minimum standards for community paramedicine programs and to review and approve or deny proposed programs within 6 months of submission.

Mandates local EMS agencies developing community paramedicine programs to integrate them into their emergency medical services plans, enter into agreements with community paramedicine providers, establish training and certification processes, and solicit public agencies first before establishing competitive bidding processes.

Prohibits unauthorized persons or organizations from providing community paramedic services and requires community paramedics to be certified and employed by authorized providers; authority must submit annual reports on operating programs to the Legislature beginning 6 months after regulations are adopted and annually for 5 years thereafter.