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Committee votes unanimously to declare ambulance providers 'essential services' in statute
Summary
Senate Bill 133 would explicitly include ambulance and ambulance-service providers in the statutory definition of essential services; sponsor and committee agreed wording is largely clarifying and Senate committee recommended approval, and the House committee recorded a 16–0 vote to advance the measure.
Senate Bill 133 would clarify state statute to explicitly include ambulance service providers in the definition of “essential services.” Senator McGough (testifying in the House as the sponsor’s substitute) told the committee that the statute’s current phrase “first responders” can be interpreted in ways that exclude ambulance providers; the bill would remove the ambiguity and align New Hampshire with other states that list ambulance services explicitly.
Supporters argued the change is largely clarifying and administrative rather than altering field practice. Senator McGough and Representative Woods both said the change is designed to resolve billing, liability and administrative issues that arise when ambulance services are not explicitly named in a statutory definition. Committee discussion agreed the bill is redundant operationally but useful administratively.
Committee action: Representative Woods moved “ought to pass” and the committee took a roll call; the clerk recorded a 16–0 vote in favor.
What this means: The change is procedural and will be placed on the consent calendar; ambulance providers, EMS systems and hospitals supported clarity in statutory definitions.
