Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves interstate EMS licensure compact to ease cross-border credentialing
Summary
House Bill 100 authorizes the Department of Health to enter an interstate compact for licensure of emergency medical services personnel, aiming to reduce redundant licensing and help veterans, border communities and mutual-aid responders; the House passed the bill unanimously after floor discussion.
The Utah House unanimously approved House Bill 100 on Jan. 26, authorizing the Department of Health to enter an interstate compact for the licensure of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.
Sponsor Representative Schultz said the compact ‘‘allows the Department of Health to enter into an interstate compact for the licensure of EMS personnel,’’ becomes effective once ten states adopt the language, and permits the state to withdraw later by statute. Schultz said the compact reduces redundant testing and licensing, helps border cities and towns, and supports cross-state response for wildland firefighters and search-and-rescue teams.
Representative Cox asked whether the compact could unintentionally create barriers because some professions require additional memberships or credentials in certain states; Schultz responded that the compact ‘‘reduces redundancy’’ and allows an applicant who passed testing in one compact state to apply in another without retaking exams.
Representative Ray highlighted the benefits for veterans, saying combat medics who trained in the military could return to Utah and more easily obtain licensure to work as paramedics.
After limited floor questioning and waiver of summation, the House recorded a 74-0 vote to pass HB 100; the bill will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
