H.B. 1281 Summary

• Establishes a new county emergency medical services system in Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, allowing counties with populations of 500,000 or more to establish, administer, and maintain their own EMS systems with a minimum of 21 ground ambulance units.

• Transfers emergency medical services functions for the City and County of Honolulu from the Department of Health to the City and County of Honolulu over a three-year period beginning July 1, 2021, with complete transition by June 30, 2024.

• Provides phased funding to Honolulu for the transition: $46,171,411 in FY 2021-2022, decreasing to $8,904,499 in FY 2022-2023 and $4,452,249 in FY 2023-2024, then transitioning to self-sufficiency from billing revenue and special fund allocations.

• Establishes a community paramedicine program allowing state-licensed health care professionals and community health workers to provide public health, primary care, and prevention services, including telehealth.

• Appropriates $84,257,043 for FY 2021-2022 and $46,990,131 for FY 2022-2023 from American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Department of Health for statewide emergency medical services and injury prevention.