HB 931 - Emergency Medical Services Summary

• Adds new definitions for "emergency" and "urgent" medical situations to Florida Statutes section 401.23, with "urgent" referring to situations requiring prompt care but not immediate emergency department transport.

• Authorizes paramedics and emergency medical technicians to provide health promotion, wellness activities, blood pressure screenings, and other treatment and transport options in nonemergency environments under medical director supervision.

• Allows paramedics to administer immunizations in nonemergency settings with written agreements between the paramedic's medical director and county health departments.

• Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules governing the use of telemedicine by EMS licensees and revises equipment and vehicle construction standards.

• Extends liability immunity to emergency medical personnel, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants when examining or treating incapacitated persons in emergency medical conditions without informed consent; allows certified paramedics to administer controlled substances under supervision of healthcare practitioners.

• Effective date: July 1, 2019.