Substitute House Bill 138 - Summary

• Modifies Ohio emergency medical services (EMS) laws by amending definitions and authorization procedures for first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-intermediate, and paramedics.

• Allows physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to authorize emergency medical services through direct communication devices, in addition to physicians and cooperating physician advisory boards.

• Permits EMS personnel to comply with do-not-resuscitate orders issued by physician assistants or advanced practice registered nurses under section 2133.211 of the Revised Code.

• Establishes nonemergency ambulance transport staffing requirements: one driver (not necessarily certified EMS personnel) plus at least one EMT, AEMT, or paramedic.

• Authorizes EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate, and paramedic personnel to administer COVID-19 tests and collect specimens with proper training; removes restrictions on medical director qualifications to allow physicians without emergency medicine specialty certification or fellowship to serve.