AN ACT Relating to emergency service medical personnel; amending RCW 18.71.205, 18.73.130, 18.73.140, and 18.73.150; and repealing RCW 18.73.120.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 18.71.205 and 1990 c 269 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The secretary of the department of health, in conjunction with the advice and assistance of the emergency medical services licensing and certification advisory committee as prescribed in RCW 18.73.050, and the board of medical examiners, shall prescribe:

(a) Minimum standards and performance requirements for the certification and recertification of physician's trained intravenous therapy technicians, airway management technicians, and mobile intensive care paramedics; and

(b) Procedures for certification, recertification, and decertification of physician's trained intravenous therapy technicians, airway management technicians, and mobile intensive care paramedics.

(2) Initial certification shall be for a period of ((~~two~~)) three years.

(3) Recertification shall be granted upon proof of continuing satisfactory performance and education, and shall be for a period of ((~~two~~)) three years.

(4) As used in chapters 18.71 and 18.73 RCW, "approved medical program director" means a person who:

(a) Is licensed to practice medicine and surgery pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW or osteopathy and surgery pursuant to chapter 18.57 RCW; and

(b) Is qualified and knowledgeable in the administration and management of emergency care and services; and

(c) Is so certified by the department of health for a county, group of counties, or cities with populations over four hundred thousand in coordination with the recommendations of the local medical community and local emergency medical services and trauma care council.

Sec. 2. RCW 18.73.130 and 1990 c 269 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:

An ambulance operator, ambulance director, aid vehicle operator or aid director may not operate a service in the state of Washington without holding a license for such operation, issued by the secretary when such operation is consistent with the state-wide and regional emergency medical services and trauma care plans established pursuant to chapter 70.168 RCW, indicating the general area to be served and the number of vehicles to be used, with the following exceptions:

(1) The United States government;

(2) Ambulance operators and ambulance directors providing service in other states when bringing patients into this state;

(3) Owners of businesses in which ambulance or aid vehicles are used exclusively on company property but occasionally in emergencies may transport patients to hospitals not on company property; and

(4) Operators of vehicles pressed into service for transportation of patients in emergencies when licensed ambulances are not available or cannot meet overwhelming demand.

The license shall be valid for a period of ((~~three~~)) two years and shall be renewed on request provided the holder has consistently complied with the regulations of the department and the department of licensing and provided also that the needs of the area served have been met satisfactorily. The license shall not be transferable.

Sec. 3. RCW 18.73.140 and 1987 c 214 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

The secretary shall issue an ambulance or aid vehicle license for each vehicle so designated. The license shall be for a period of ((~~one~~)) two years and may be reissued on expiration if the vehicle and its equipment meet requirements in force at the time of expiration of the license period. The license may be revoked if the ambulance or aid vehicle is found to be operating in violation of the regulations promulgated by the department or without required equipment. The license shall be terminated automatically if the vehicle is sold or transferred to the control of anyone not currently licensed as an ambulance or aid vehicle operator or director. The license number shall be prominently displayed on each vehicle.

Sec. 4. RCW 18.73.150 and 1979 ex.s. c 261 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

Any ambulance operated as such shall operate with sufficient personnel for adequate patient care, at least one of whom shall be an emergency medical technician under standards promulgated by the secretary. The emergency medical technician shall have responsibility for its operation and for the care of patients both before they are placed aboard the vehicle and during transit. If there are two or more emergency medical technicians operating the ambulance, a nondriving medical technician shall be in command of the vehicle. The emergency medical technician in command of the vehicle shall be in the patient compartment and in attendance to the patient.

The driver of the ambulance shall have at least a certificate of advance first aid qualification recognized by the secretary pursuant to RCW 18.73.120 unless there are at least two certified emergency medical technicians in attendance of the patient whereby a noncertified individual may drive the ambulance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. RCW 18.73.120 and 1979 ex.s. c 261 s 12 & 1973 1st ex.s. c 208 s 12 are each repealed.