Senate Bill 19-052 Summary

• Expands the scope of practice for certified emergency medical service (EMS) providers to include work in clinical settings, defined as health facilities licensed or certified by the Colorado Department of Health.

• Requires EMS providers working in clinical settings to perform only in-scope tasks under medical supervision by a Colorado-licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse who is immediately available and physically present.

• Redefines "medical direction" to include approval of treatment protocols, routine program performance review, authority to recommend protocol changes, and provision of ongoing education and quality assurance oversight.

• Allows clinical settings to establish operating policies and procedures in collaboration with their medical staff to ensure EMS providers perform tasks and administer medications within their authorized scope of practice.

• Takes effect August 2, 2019, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case approval by Colorado voters in November 2020 is required.