This bill changes the rules for who can use blue lights on ambulances and when they're allowed to exceed speed limits during emergencies. Ambulance operators must now meet new requirements (detailed in a new section added by this bill) to use blue lights and respond to emergency calls with special driving privileges. The bill also clarifies that these emergency vehicle exceptions apply only when the ambulance operator is actually en route to an emergency and has proper authorization.
The amendment adds firefighters as a new category of people eligible to be ambulance operators and reduces the required emergency vehicle operator course from sixteen hours to six hours, which substantially WEAKENS the bill's qualification requirements for ambulance operators.
The amendment removes all references to ambulance operators being "certified in accordance with chapter 36-4B" and instead requires them to meet new qualifications outlined in Section 4, which allows operators to either be licensed EMS personnel, firefighters, law enforcement officers, or individuals who complete basic CPR and emergency vehicle operator training—substantially WEAKENING the bill by reducing the certification requirement from a single state licensing standard to multiple alternative pathways including minimal training options.
Signed by the Governor H.J. 254
Delivered to the Governor H.J. 214
Signed by the President S.J. 171
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 199
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0. S.J. 144
Health and Human Services Certified uncontested, placed on consent S.J. 5
Health and Human Services Do Pass Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0. S.J. 5
Health and Human Services Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Health and Human Services S.J. 92
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 67, NAYS 0. H.J. 115
Health and Human Services Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Health and Human Services Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 13, NAYS 0.
Health and Human Services Motion to amend
Health and Human Services Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
First read in House and referred to House Health and Human Services H.J. 12
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Do Pass Amended
Health and Human Services — Do Pass
Do Pass Amended
Health and Human Services — Do Pass Amended