Senate Bill 16-069 Summary

• Establishes "community paramedic" as an emergency medical service provider with an endorsement in community paramedicine, authorized to provide community integrated health care services including patient assessment, medical interventions, care coordination, and medication administration.

• Creates the Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (CARES) Program allowing authorized entities (ambulance services, fire departments, health districts, and health care facilities) to provide community outreach and health education to reduce non-emergency 911 calls and emergency department visits.

• Requires community integrated health care service agencies to obtain state licensure, maintain medical direction, carry general liability insurance, and comply with rules established by January 1, 2018.

• Authorizes the Department of Public Health and Environment to regulate community paramedics and agencies through rulemaking, licensure, inspections, criminal background checks, and enforcement actions including fines up to $10,000 per violation.

• Appropriates $73,986 for fiscal year 2016-17 to implement the program and sunsets the community integrated health care service agency licensing function on September 1, 2025, subject to legislative review.