Senate Bill 885 Summary

• Requires the Department of Health to develop and implement a statewide emergency medical services system with oversight of personnel licensing, ambulance operations, and medical first response services.

• Authorizes medical control authorities to establish enhanced protocols for new skills, techniques, procedures, or equipment beyond standard education, subject to department review and conditions including personnel training and data collection.

• Mandates the Department to convene a rural emergency medical services task force with representatives from 8 regions to evaluate status, resources, needs, and forecasts of prehospital EMS in rural areas, with a report due within 14 months.

• Establishes procedures for medical control authorities to develop written protocols for life support agencies and EMS personnel, including 60-day circulation periods, department review, and appeals processes.

• Changes statutory language from "shall" to "must," "in accordance with" to "under," and updates references to the Emergency Management Act and data protection provisions.