FL S0604

Separates fee deposits into two trust funds: organization license fees (basic life support, advanced life support, vehicle permits, air ambulance services) go to the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund, while individual practitioner fees (EMT and paramedic certifications and renewals) go to the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund.

Establishes that all collected fees must be applied solely for salaries and expenses of the department in implementing and enforcing emergency medical services regulations.

Expands the Department of Financial Services' duty to defend claims and lawsuits against emergency intervention consultants to include suits for injunctive, affirmative, or declaratory relief when consultants perform emergency interventions on behalf of impaired practitioners.

Clarifies that the Department of Financial Services will defend consultants and their officers or employees only when the act or omission arises out of and is within the scope of the consultant's duties under their contract with the department.

Effective date: July 1, 2013.