S.F. No. 5417 Summary

• Establishes an alternative emergency medical services response model pilot program in Otter Tail County and Grant County, administered by the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board, effective July 1, 2024.

• Allows basic life support ambulance services or part-time advanced life support services (primary ambulance services) to partner with full-time advanced life support services (supporting ambulance services) to jointly respond to emergency calls with expanded advanced life support capability.

• Permits primary ambulance service responses with one emergency medical technician when a supporting ambulance service paramedic is confirmed available and responding, satisfying minimum staffing requirements under Minnesota Statutes section 144E.101.

• Board may issue waivers or variances to Minnesota Statutes chapter 144E or Minnesota Rules chapter 4690 as needed to implement the pilot program, provided public health and welfare are not adversely affected.

• Appropriates $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 from the general fund as a one-time grant to Otter Tail County to fund the pilot program, with funds available until June 30, 2027; pilot program expires June 30, 2027.