Hawaii-2020-SB2431-Introduced

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the department of health is responsible for administering and maintaining the comprehensive state emergency medical service system, or state emergency medical system. Administration of the system by a state agency ensures that all emergency services, including ground and air ambulance services conducted by or under the authorization of the department of health or any county, are consistent with part XVIII of chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

As required by Act 60, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, the department of health contracted with the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under the guidance of a steering committee to conduct a study of the state emergency medical system. This review was conducted on October 14 to 18, 2019. The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified the State's emergency medical system as an essential public health service for both the State's residents and visitors, which is a finding with which the legislature concurs.

To fulfill the duties of the emergency medical services and injury prevention system branch, it is imperative that the department of health strive to ensure that the state emergency medical system is efficiently maintained and effectively provides emergency services.

Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require the department of health to work with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or other qualified entity, to conduct a comprehensive statewide workforce study reviewing the entire state emergency medical system to identify strengths and issues and provide recommendations to increase the emergency medical technician and paramedic workforce;

(2) Conduct a comprehensive cost analysis of the entire state emergency medical system to identify strengths and any issues with the system and provide recommendations to improve the economic function of the system, including but not limited to centralized purchasing and other cost-saving measures; and

(3) Appropriate funds for state emergency medical system expenses to carry out this Act.

SECTION 2. (a) No later than September 30, 2020, the department of health shall work with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or other qualified entity, to conduct a study of the state emergency medical system workforce.

(b) The purpose of the study shall be to identify strengths and any issues with the system and provide recommendations to increase the emergency medical technician and paramedic workforce.

(c) The department of health shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021.

(d) The department of health shall invite a representative of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician study team to brief the members of the legislature once the written report is finalized.

SECTION 3. (a) No later than September 30, 2020, the department of health shall conduct a comprehensive cost analysis of the entire state emergency medical system.

(b) The purpose of the cost analysis shall be to identify strengths and any issues with the system and provide recommendations to improve the economic function of the system, including but not limited to centralized purchasing and other cost-saving measures.

(d) The department of health shall invite a representative from the cost analysis team to brief the members of the legislature once the written report is finalized.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $25,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the comprehensive workforce study of the state emergency medical system workforce 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. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the comprehensive cost analysis of the entire state emergency medical system pursuant to section 3 of this Act.

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

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $15,776,780 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for program ID HTH 730 to meet the collective bargaining requirements and recurring personnel costs for service providers contracted to provided pre-hospital emergency medical services necessary to maintain the current level of pre-hospital emergency medical system.

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

SECTION 7. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,997,494 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for program ID HTH 730 to meet other current expenses.

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

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2431
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII