IL HB5085

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act to expand the definition of "clinical observation" to include assessment of a patient's "medical or mental health" condition by licensed health care professionals.

Allows EMS Systems to coordinate education outside their regional boundaries with valid justification and Department approval, rather than limiting training to their specific regions.

Permits the didactic portion of EMS education to be conducted through online platforms with EMS System and Department approval.

Requires the Department to give deference to EMS Medical Directors' education plan requests for classes outside the Resource Hospital's region and prohibits unreasonable withholding of approval.

Adds "silver spanner program" definition, allowing fire department members under one collective bargaining agreement to work on EMS Systems under another fire department's agreement with expanded EMS services.