HB1314: Public safety matters.

Legislative Summary

Public safety matters. Provides that a surviving spouse or child of a department of homeland security (department) fire investigator is eligible to receive health coverage under the health coverage plan for active employees provided by the employer. Provides that a department fire investigator who is diagnosed with certain health conditions that result in a disability or death is presumed to have incurred the health condition in the line of duty. Provides that the Indiana guard reserve (guard) is comprised of volunteer citizens. Provides that the adjutant general (general) may adopt policies for the guard. Requires the general to establish certain structures, processes, and organizational controls for the guard. Repeals a provision concerning the guard serving outside Indiana. Provides that, if called for voluntary service, the guard must follow the rules and procedures of the Indiana national guard and those set by the general. Amends a provision to specify that the general may obtain insurance for the guard under certain circumstances. Repeals a provision regarding quarterly pay for the guard. Provides that, not later than October 31, 2022, the department, the department of health, the integrated public safety commission, and the statewide 911 board shall submit recommendations regarding: (1) ways the 911 system can increase interoperability to better facilitate an emergency medical services (EMS) response from the closest and most appropriate resource; and (2) the effectiveness of regionalized trauma systems and their impact on patient care; to the executive director of the legislative services agency for distribution to the general assembly. Provides that a department fire investigator who is diagnosed with certain cancers or heart or lung disease that results in a disability is presumed to have incurred the health condition in the line of duty. Establishes the first responder crisis intervention account within the statewide 9-8-8 trust fund for the purpose of awarding grants to public safety agencies that provide first responder emergency services. Provides that the division of mental health and addiction shall administer the account. Provides that a fire department is required to report annually to the department information regarding each emergency response by the fire department. Provides that, in the event the fire department does not report information regarding emergency responses, the department may determine that the fire department is ineligible to receive grants administered by the department. Makes changes to how public safety fees from the retail sale of fireworks are distributed. Provides, after June 30, 2023, that the minimum basic training requirements that a volunteer firefighter must complete before the firefighter may perform emergency response duties do not include interior firefighter operations. Makes changes to various definitions used in relation to the provision of emergency medical services. Provides that the department may (rather than shall, under current law) waive any rule adopted by the emergency medical services commission for a person who provides emergency ambulance service, an emergency medical technician, an advanced emergency medical technician, a paramedic, or an ambulance when operating from a location in an adjoining state. Makes changes to notice requirements for the acquisition and location of a defibrillator. Provides that an individual who holds a license or certification issued by the emergency medical services commission is subject to disciplinary sanctions if the individual fails to notify the department in writing of any misdemeanor or felony criminal conviction, except traffic related misdemeanors other than operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol, within 90 days after the entry of an order or judgment. Provides that each ambulance service shall participate in a written quality assurance program. Makes changes to the provision relating to data sharing of pre-hospital ambulance reports by the emergency medical services commission or the department. Removes obsolete provisions and makes conforming amendments. Repeals a provision requiring a person who uses a defibrillator to contact the ambulance service provider or the fire department that provides ambulance service for the area as soon as practicable. Provides for the attending physician, or the physician's designee, of a patient needing transportation by ambulance to sign an order that states the level of ambulance service needed for the patient and the condition or diagnosis of the patient that makes the transportation of the patient by ambulance necessary. Amends the law on emergency medical services to make that law apply to nonemergency ambulance services as well as emergency ambulance services. Requires a health plan to fairly negotiate rates and terms with any ambulance service provider willing to become a participating provider with respect to the health plan. Provides that an accident and sickness insurance policy or HMO contract that provides coverage for emergency medical services must also provide reimbursement for: (1) emergency ambulance services; and (2) specialty care transport; provided by an emergency medical services provider organization. Provides that reimbursement provided for basic and advanced life support services through an accident and sickness insurance policy or HMO contract must be provided on an equal basis regardless of whether the services involve transportation of the patient by ambulance.