SB2048

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that investment in public health infrastructure is critical to reduce the probability of death and disability in local communities by increasing timely response and ability to render effective aid to 911 calls –- both of which are of paramount importance to successful outcomes from life-threatening incidents and sickness.

The legislature further finds that ensuring access to emergency health care statewide is contingent on empowering aspiring medical health care professionals, including emergency medical services personnel, to practice in the State. Currently, under section 453-32, Hawaii Revised Statutes, emergency medical technicians, advanced emergency medical technicians, mobile intensive care technicians, and paramedics can pursue licensure from the Hawaii medical board after completing various prerequisites, including position-specific local programs and certification by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for the requisite level of practice.

The legislature also finds that in recent years, efforts to request funding for the establishment of advanced life support ambulances have stalled due to a lack of qualified personnel to consistently staff the vehicles. Existing law requires a minimum of one mobile intensive care technician and one emergency medical technician for advanced life support, as well as two emergency medical technicians for basic life support, except hospital-based ambulance service, which requires one emergency medical technician and one registered nurse licensed in the State.

The legislature further finds that there are only three institutions that currently provide programs that offer the requisite training for emergency medical service licensure in the State, including Kapiolani community college; university of Hawaiʻi, Maui college campus; and Hawai'i community college. With programs not offered in every county, many prospective emergency services personnel are required to relocate to pursue licensure. This barrier has created a disparate impact on rural, underserved communities in these counties, where public health services represent a significant source of health care.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to establish and implement a program to improve access to critical care by increasing support for emergency medical services personnel in the State.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of health shall establish and implement a program to improve and increase support for emergency medical services by:

(1) Expanding access to curriculum and training approved by the department of health for emergency medical services personnel in each county of the State, including remote or virtual classes;

(2) Providing a pathway for high school students who want to pursue a career in emergency medical services;

(3) Promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of trained emergency medical services personnel in each county of the State;

(4) Providing reimbursement for fees and costs associated with training courses required for licensure to individuals who successfully obtain a license pursuant to section 453-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

(5) Providing new equipment, medication, and vehicles to the county emergency medical services systems established pursuant to section 46-192, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

(b) The department of health shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the effectiveness of the program, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2025 and 2026.

SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the department of health to establish a program to improve and increase support for emergency medical services in the State pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2048
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII