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Chapter 1. General Provisions of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2.5. >> Chapter 1.

This division shall be known and may be cited as the Emergency Medical Services System and the Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act.
The Legislature finds and declares that it is the intent of this act to provide the state with a statewide system for emergency medical services by establishing within the Health and Welfare Agency the Emergency Medical Services Authority, which is responsible for the coordination and integration of all state activities concerning emergency medical services.
It is the intent of the Legislature to maintain and promote the development of EMT-P paramedic programs where appropriate throughout the state and to initiate EMT-II limited advanced life support programs only where geography, population density, and resources would not make the establishment of a paramedic program feasible.
The provisions of this division do not preclude the adoption of additional training standards for EMT-II and EMT-P personnel by local EMS agencies, consistent with standards adopted pursuant to Sections 1797.171, 1797.172, and 1797.214.
Any reference in any provision of law to mobile intensive care paramedics subject to former Article 3 (commencing with Section 1480) of Chapter 2.5 of Division 2 shall be deemed to be a reference to persons holding valid certificates under this division as an EMT-I, EMT-II, or EMT-P. Any reference in any provision of law to mobile intensive care nurses subject to former Article 3 (commencing with Section 1480) of Chapter 2.5 of Division 2 shall be deemed to be a reference to persons holding valid authorization under this division as an MICN.
It is the intent of the Legislature to promote the development, accessibility, and provision of emergency medical services to the people of the State of California. Further, it is the policy of the State of California that people shall be encouraged and trained to assist others at the scene of a medical emergency. Local governments, agencies, and other organizations shall be encouraged to offer training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and lifesaving first aid techniques so that people may be adequately trained, prepared, and encouraged to assist others immediately.
(a) It is the policy of the State of California to ensure the provision of effective and efficient emergency medical care. The Legislature finds and declares that achieving this policy has been hindered by the confusion and concern in the 58 counties resulting from the United States Supreme Court's holding in Community Communications Company, Inc. v. City of Boulder, Colorado, 455 U.S. 40, 70 L. Ed. 2d 810, 102 S. Ct. 835, regarding local governmental liability under federal antitrust laws.
  (b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section and Sections 1797.85 and 1797.224 to prescribe and exercise the degree of state direction and supervision over emergency medical services as will provide for state action immunity under federal antitrust laws for activities undertaken by local governmental entities in carrying out their prescribed functions under this division.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the ability of some prehospital emergency medical care personnel to move from the jurisdiction of one local EMS agency which issued certification and authorization to the jurisdiction of another local EMS agency which utilizes the same level of emergency medical care personnel will be unreasonably hindered if those personnel are required to be retested and recertified by each local EMS agency.
  (b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section and Section 1797.185 to ensure that EMT-P personnel who have met state competency standards for their basic scope of practice, as defined in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 100135) of Division 9 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, and are currently certified are recognized statewide without having to repeat testing or certification for that same basic scope of practice.
  (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that local EMS agencies may require prehospital emergency medical care personnel who were certified in another jurisdiction to be oriented to the local EMS system and receive training and demonstrate competency in any optional skills for which they have not received accreditation. It is also the intent of the Legislature that no individual who possesses a valid California EMT-P certificate shall be prevented from beginning working within the standard statewide scope of practice of an EMT-P if he or she is accompanied by a EMT-P who is currently certified in California and is accredited by the local EMS agency. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the local EMS agency provide, or arrange for the provision of, training and accreditation testing in local EMS operational policies and procedures and any optional skills utilized in the local EMS system within 30 days of application for accreditation as an EMT-P by the local EMS agency.
  (d) It is the intent of the Legislature that subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) not be construed to hinder the ability of local EMS agencies to maintain medical control within their EMS system in accordance with the requirements of this division.
(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
  (1) "EMT-I" means any person who has training and a valid certificate as prescribed by Section 1797.80.
  (2) "EMT certifying authority" means the medical director of the local emergency medical services agency.
  (b) Any county may, at the discretion of the county or regional medical director of emergency medical services, develop a program to certify an EMT-I to administer naloxone hydrochloride by means other than intravenous injection.
  (c) Any county that chooses to implement a program to certify an EMT-I to administer naloxone hydrochloride, as specified in subdivision (b), shall approve and administer a training and testing program leading to certification consistent with guidelines established by the state Emergency Medical Services Authority.
  (d) On or before July 1, 2003, the state Emergency Medical Services Authority shall develop guidelines relating to the county certification programs authorized pursuant to subdivision (b).
  (e) An EMT-I may be authorized by the EMT certifying authority to administer naloxone hydrochloride by means other than intravenous injection only if the EMT-I has completed training and passed an examination administered or approved by the EMT certifying authority in the area.
  (f) This section shall be operative only until the operative date of regulations that revise the regulations set forth in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 100101) of Division 9 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and that authorize an EMT-I to receive EMT-II training in administering naloxone hydrochloride without having to complete the entire EMT-II certification course.
(a) This division shall not be construed to regulate or authorize state or local regulation of any nonmedical aspects of the following:
  (1) Public aircraft certification or configuration.
  (2) Public aircraft maintenance procedures and documentation.
  (3) Piloting techniques and methods of piloting public aircraft.
  (4) Public aircraft crewmember qualifications.
  (5) Pilot certification or qualifications for public aircraft.
  (b) For purposes of this section, "public aircraft" has the same meaning as in Section 1.1 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.