the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 20910. (1) The department shall do all of the following:

(a) Be responsible for the development, coordination, and administration of a statewide emergency medical services system.

(b) Facilitate and promote programs of public information and education concerning emergency medical services.

(c) In case of actual disasters and disaster training drills and exercises, provide emergency medical services resources pursuant to under applicable provisions of the Michigan emergency preparedness plan, or as prescribed by the director of emergency services pursuant to under the emergency management act, 1976 PA 390, MCL 30.401 to 30.421.

(d) Consistent with the rules of the federal communications commission, Federal Communications Commission, plan, develop, coordinate, and administer a statewide emergency medical services communications system.

(e) Develop and maintain standards of emergency medical services and personnel as follows:

(i) License emergency medical services personnel in accordance with this part.

(ii) License ambulance operations, nontransport prehospital life support operations, and medical first response services in accordance with this part.

(iii) At Subject to section 20960, at least annually, inspect or provide for the inspection of each life support agency, except medical first response services. As part of that inspection, the department shall conduct random inspections of life support vehicles. If a life support vehicle is determined by the department to be out of compliance, the department shall give the life support agency 24 hours to bring the life support vehicle into compliance. If the life support vehicle is not brought into compliance in that time period, the department shall order the life support vehicle taken out of service until the life support agency demonstrates to the department, in writing, that the life support vehicle has been brought into compliance.

(iv) Promulgate rules to establish the requirements for licensure of life support agencies, vehicles, and individuals licensed under this part to provide emergency medical services and other rules necessary to implement this part. The department shall submit all proposed rules and changes to the state emergency medical services coordination committee and provide a reasonable time for the committee's review and recommendations before submitting the rules for public hearing under the administrative procedures act of 1969.

(f) Promulgate rules to establish and maintain standards for and regulate the use of descriptive words, phrases, symbols, or emblems that represent or denote that an ambulance operation, nontransport prehospital life support operation, or medical first response service is or may be provided. The department's authority to regulate use of the descriptive devices includes use for the purposes of advertising, promoting, or selling the services rendered by an ambulance operation, nontransport prehospital life support operation, or medical first response service, or by emergency medical services personnel.

(g) Designate a medical control authority as the medical control for emergency medical services for a particular geographic region as provided for under this part.

(h) Develop and implement field studies involving the use of skills, techniques, procedures, or equipment that are not included as part of the standard education for medical first responders, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technician specialists, or paramedics, if all of the following conditions are met:

(i) The state emergency medical services coordination committee reviews the field study prior to implementation.

(ii) The field study is conducted in an area for which a medical control authority has been approved pursuant to under subdivision (g).

(iii) The medical first responders, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technician specialists, and paramedics participating in the field study receive training for the new skill, technique, procedure, or equipment.

(i) Collect data as necessary to assess the need for and quality of emergency medical services throughout the this state pursuant to under 1967 PA 270, MCL 331.531 to 331.533.331.534.

(j) Develop, with the advice of the emergency medical services coordination committee, an emergency medical services plan that includes rural issues.

(k) Develop recommendations for territorial boundaries of medical control authorities that are designed to assure ensure that there exists reasonable emergency medical services capacity within the boundaries for the estimated demand for emergency medical services.

(l) Within 1 year after the statewide trauma care advisory subcommittee is established under section 20917a and in consultation with the statewide trauma care advisory subcommittee, develop, implement, and promulgate rules for the implementation and operation of a statewide trauma care system within the emergency medical services system consistent with the document entitled "Michigan Trauma Systems Plan" prepared by the Michigan trauma coalition, Trauma Coalition, dated November 2003. The implementation and operation of the statewide trauma care system, including the rules promulgated in accordance with this subdivision, are subject to review by the emergency medical services coordination committee and the statewide trauma care advisory subcommittee. The rules promulgated under this subdivision shall not require a hospital to be designated as providing a certain level of trauma care. Upon On implementation of a statewide trauma care system, the department shall review and identify potential funding mechanisms and sources for the statewide trauma care system.

(m) Promulgate other rules to implement this part.

(n) Perform other duties as set forth in this part.

(2) The department may do all of the following:

(a) In consultation with the emergency medical services coordination committee, promulgate rules to require an ambulance operation, nontransport prehospital life support operation, or medical first response service to periodically submit designated records and data for evaluation by the department.

(b) Establish a grant program or contract with a public or private agency, emergency medical services professional association, or emergency medical services coalition to provide training, public information, and assistance to medical control authorities and emergency medical services systems or to conduct other activities as specified in this part.

Sec. 20921. (1) An ambulance operation shall do all of the following:

(a) Except as provided in section 20921a, provide at least 1 ambulance available for response to requests for emergency assistance on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis in accordance with local medical control authority protocols.

(b) Respond or ensure that a response is provided to each request for emergency assistance originating from within the bounds of its service area.

(c) Operate under the direction of a medical control authority or the medical control authorities with jurisdiction over the ambulance operation.

(d) Notify the department immediately of a change that would alter the information contained on its application for an ambulance operation license or renewal.

(e) Subject to section 20920(7) to (12) and section 20921a, provide life support consistent with its license and approved local medical control authority protocols to each emergency patient without prior inquiry into ability to pay or source of payment.

(2) An ambulance operation shall not do any of the following:

(a) Knowingly provide a person with false or misleading information concerning the time at which an emergency response will be initiated or the location from which the response is being initiated.

(b) Induce or seek to induce any person engaging an ambulance to patronize a long-term care facility, mortuary, or hospital.

(c) Advertise, or permit advertising of, within or on the premises of the ambulance operation or within or on an ambulance, the name or the services of an attorney, accident investigator, nurse, physician, long-term care facility, mortuary, or hospital. If 1 of those persons or facilities owns or operates an ambulance operation, the person or facility may use its business name in the name of the ambulance operation and may display the name of the ambulance operation within or on the premises of the ambulance operation or within or on an ambulance.

(d) Advertise or disseminate information for the purpose of obtaining contracts under a name other than the name of the person holding an ambulance operation license or the trade or assumed name of the ambulance operation.

(e) If the ambulance operation is operating under an ambulance operation upgrade license issued under section 20920(7) to (12), advertise or otherwise hold itself out as a full-time transporting limited advanced life support service or a full-time transporting advanced life support service unless the ambulance operation actually provides those services on a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-a-week basis.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) and section 20921a and subject to section 20960, an ambulance operation shall not operate, attend, or permit an ambulance to be operated while transporting a patient unless the ambulance is, at a minimum, staffed as follows:

(a) If designated as providing basic life support, with at least 1 emergency medical technician and 1 medical first responder.

(b) If designated as providing limited advanced life support, with at least 1 emergency medical technician specialist and 1 emergency medical technician.

(c) If designated as providing advanced life support, with at least 1 paramedic and 1 emergency medical technician.

(4) An ambulance operation that is licensed to provide advanced life support and has more than 1 ambulance licensed under its operation may operate an ambulance licensed to provide basic life support or limited advanced life support at a higher level of life support if all of the following are met:

(a) The ambulance operation has at least 1 ambulance under its operation that is properly staffed and available to provide advanced life support on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis.

(b) The licensed personnel required to operate at that higher level of life support are available at the scene and in the ambulance during the patient transport to provide life support to that patient at that higher level.

(c) The ambulance meets all equipment and communication requirements to operate at that higher level of life support.

(d) The ambulance operation that is unable to respond to a request for emergency assistance immediately requests assistance pursuant to under protocols established by the local medical control authority and approved by the department under this part.

(5) Except as provided in subsection (6), an ambulance operation shall ensure that an emergency medical technician, an emergency medical technician specialist, or a paramedic is in the patient compartment of an ambulance while transporting an emergency patient.

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply to the transportation of a patient by an ambulance if the patient is accompanied in the patient compartment of the ambulance by an appropriate licensed health professional designated by a physician and after a physician-patient relationship has been established as prescribed in this part or the rules promulgated by the department under this part.

Sec. 20954. (1) Upon Subject to section 20960, on proper application to the department and payment of the renewal fee under subsection (2), the department may renew an emergency medical services personnel license if the applicant meets the requirements of this part and provides, upon request of the department, verification of having met ongoing education requirements established by the department. If an applicant for renewal fails to provide the department with a change of address, the applicant shall pay a $20.00 fee in addition to the renewal and late fees required under subsections (2) and (3).

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), an applicant for renewal of a license under section 20950 shall pay a renewal fee as follows:

(a) Medical first responder - no fee.

(b) Emergency medical technician - $25.00.

(c) Emergency medical technician specialist - $25.00.

(d) Paramedic - $25.00.

(e) Emergency medical services instructor-coordinator - $25.00.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), if an application for renewal under subsection (1) is postmarked after the date the license expires, the applicant shall pay a late fee in addition to the renewal fee under subsection (2) as follows:

(a) Medical first responder - $50.00.

(b) Emergency medical technician - $50.00.

(c) Emergency medical technician specialist - $50.00.

(d) Paramedic - $50.00.

(e) Emergency medical services instructor-coordinator - $50.00.

(4) A license or registration shall be renewed by the licensee on or before the expiration date as prescribed by rule. The department shall mail a notice to the licensee at the last known address on file with the department advising of the time, procedure, and fee for renewal. Failure of the licensee to receive notice under this subsection does not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for renewing his or her license. A license not renewed by the expiration date may be renewed within 60 days of the expiration date upon application, payment of renewal and late renewal fees, and fulfillment of any continued continuing education requirements set forth in rules promulgated under this article. The licensee may continue to practice and use the title during the 60-day period. If a license is not so renewed within 60 days of the expiration date, the license is void. The licensee shall not practice or use the title. An individual may be relicensed within 3 years of the expiration date upon application, payment of the application processing, renewal, and late renewal fees, and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements in effect at the time of the expiration date, or that would have been required had the individual renewed his or her license pursuant to under subsection (1). An individual may be relicensed more than 3 years after the expiration date upon application as a new applicant, meeting all licensure requirements in effect at the time of application, taking or retaking and passing any examinations required for initial licensure, and payment of fees required of new applicants.

(5) If a life support agency certifies to the department that an applicant for renewal under this section is a volunteer and if the life support agency does not charge for its services, the department shall not require the applicant to pay the fee required under subsection (2) or a late fee under subsection (3). If the applicant for renewal ceases to meet the definition of a volunteer under this part at any time during the effective period of his or her license renewal and is employed as a licensee under this part, the applicant for renewal shall at that time pay the fee required under subsection (2).

(6) An individual seeking renewal under this section is not required to maintain national registry status as a condition of license renewal.

Sec. 20958. (1) The department may deny, revoke, or suspend an emergency medical services personnel license upon finding that an applicant or licensee meets 1 or more of the following:

(a) Is guilty of fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure licensure.

(b) Has illegally obtained, possessed, used, or distributed drugs.

(c) Has practiced after his or her license has expired or has been suspended.

(d) Has knowingly violated, or aided or abetted others in the violation of, this part or rules promulgated under this part.

(e) Is not performing in a manner consistent with his or her education, licensure, or approved medical control authority protocols.

(f) Is physically or mentally incapable of performing his or her prescribed duties.

(g) Has been convicted of a criminal offense under sections 520a to 520l 520o of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.520a to 750.520l. 750.520o. A certified copy of the court record is conclusive evidence of the conviction.

(h) Has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony reasonably related to and adversely affecting the ability to practice in a safe and competent manner. A certified copy of the court record is conclusive evidence of the conviction.

(2) The Subject to section 20960, the department shall provide notice of intent to deny, revoke, or suspend an emergency services personnel license by certified mail or personal service. The notice of intent shall set forth the particular reasons for the proposed action and shall advise the applicant or licensee that he or she is entitled to the opportunity for a hearing before the director or the director's authorized representative. If the person to whom the notice is sent does not make a written request to the department for a hearing within 30 days of receiving the notice, the license is considered denied, revoked, or suspended as stated in the notice. If requested, the hearing shall must be conducted pursuant to under the administrative procedures act of 1969 and rules promulgated by the department. A full and complete record shall must be kept of the proceeding and shall must be transcribed when requested by an interested party, who shall pay the cost of preparing the transcript. On the basis of a hearing or on the default of the applicant or licensee, the department may issue, deny, suspend, or revoke a license.

(3) The department may establish procedures, hold hearings, administer oaths, issue subpoenas, or order testimony to be taken at a hearing or by deposition in a proceeding pending at any stage of the proceeding. A person may be compelled to appear and testify and to produce books, papers, or documents in a proceeding.

(4) In case of disobedience of a subpoena, a party to a hearing may invoke the aid of the circuit court of the jurisdiction in which the hearing is held to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses. The circuit court may issue an order requiring an individual to appear and give testimony. Failure to obey the order of the circuit court may be punished by the court as a contempt.

Sec. 20960. (1) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary, during the states of emergency and disaster declared under Executive Order No. 2020-39 or any extension of that order, all of the following relief measures apply:

(a) The department may temporarily suspend strict compliance with the annual inspection requirements for life support vehicles and life support agencies under section 20910(1)(e)(iii). The department shall inspect a life support vehicle or life support agency if the department has reason to believe that the vehicle or agency is out of compliance. An inspection conducted under this subdivision must, to the greatest extent possible, be conducted remotely, such as by videoconferencing, telephone conversation, and electronic review of required documents.

(b) The department may temporarily suspend strict compliance with the ambulance staffing requirements under section 20921(3). An ambulance must not be operated while transporting a patient unless it is staffed with emergency medical services personnel possessing at least the following qualifications:

(i) If designated as providing basic life support, with at least 1 emergency medical technician and 1 medical first responder.

(ii) If designated as providing limited advanced life support, with at least 1 emergency medical technician specialist and 1 medical first responder.

(iii) If designated as providing advanced life support, with at least 1 paramedic and 1 medical first responder.

(c) An ambulance operation or nontransport prehospital life support operation may downgrade the life support level of its vehicles according to staffing and vehicle availability without advising the department as follows:

(i) An ambulance or nontransport prehospital life support vehicle that is designated as providing advanced life support may be designated as providing limited advanced life support or basic life support.

(ii) An ambulance or nontransport prehospital life support vehicle that is designated as providing limited advanced life support may be designated as providing basic life support.

(iii) Any ambulance operation or nontransport prehospital life support operation that has downgraded a vehicle under this subdivision must appropriately and securely store all advanced level equipment and medications that should no longer be in the downgraded vehicle.

(d) The transport of a patient, whether emergency or nonemergency, is allowed to any destination designated by the medical control authority.

(e) The department may waive verification of ongoing education requirements when reviewing an application for renewal or relicensure of an emergency medical services personnel license. If the application is for relicensure, the department may only waive verification if the applicant has been licensed by the department within the last 5 years.

(f) All emergency medical services personnel licenses that have expired since March 10, 2020 or that would expire during the declared states of emergency and disaster are considered unexpired and do not expire until 6 months after the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster.

(g) All professional certifications in basic cardiac life support that have expired since March 10, 2020 or that would expire during the declared states of emergency and disaster are considered unexpired and do not expire until 6 months after the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster.

(h) The department may temporarily suspend compliance with section 20961(1)(a) and (d) to grant a license under this part to an applicant licensed in another state without regard to whether the applicant meets the requirements of this part and the rules promulgated by the department for licensure or whether the state in which the applicant is licensed maintains licensure standards equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state.

(i) The department may temporarily suspend strict compliance with section 20958(2) to allow a notice of intent to deny, revoke, or suspend an emergency services personnel license to be provided to the applicant or licensee by electronic communication.

(j) The department may promulgate rules, issue orders and directives, and take other actions provided by law as necessary to implement Executive Order No. 2020-39. Any rules, orders, directives, and actions taken under this subdivision ceases to be in effect at the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster.

(2) As used in this section, "COVID-19" means coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Sec. 20961. (1) The department may grant a license under this part to a person who is licensed in another state at the time of application if the applicant provides evidence satisfactory to the department as to all of the following:

(a) The Subject to section 20960, the applicant meets the requirements of this part and rules promulgated by the department for licensure.

(b) There are no pending disciplinary proceedings against the applicant before a similar licensing agency of this or any other state or country.

(c) If sanctions have been imposed against the applicant by a similar licensing agency of this or any other state or country based upon grounds that are substantially similar to those set forth in section 20165 or 20958, as determined by the department, the sanctions are not in force at the time of the application.

(d) The Subject to section 20960, the other state maintains licensure standards equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state.

(2) The department may make an independent inquiry to determine whether an applicant meets the requirements described in subsection (1)(b) and (c).