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Committee extends BLS ambulance staffing exemption to April 2032
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to extend the basic life support ambulance staffing exemption through April 2032 and moved House Bill 996 to the floor after members described EMS and fire services as in crisis and urged timely legislative action.
The Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee adopted an amendment extending the basic life support (BLS) ambulance staffing exemption and sent House Bill 996 to the floor for consideration.
Representative Hamm, the bill sponsor, told the committee that "EMS is in crisis in this Commonwealth" and said the measure would allow a BLS ambulance to operate with one qualified driver and one EMT through April 2032. He recounted changes since 2015 that increased crew requirements and noted a 2020 suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic that his earlier legislation extended to April 2027.
Staff explained amendment A0354545, authored by Representative Scott, which "extends the basic life support ambulance staffing exemption until April 2032." Representative Scott and others urged support for the amendment; Chair Gillan called resetting the expiration date "wholly appropriate." The amendment was adopted unanimously.
Hamm argued the extension avoids a short legislative window in early 2027 and gives time to pursue longer-term staffing solutions. Chair Gillan said the approach "offers the best possible scenario for deployment of our resources" while acknowledging the goal remains more qualified personnel on ambulances.
The committee voted to move the amended bill to the House floor without recorded opposition.
The bill now goes to the full House for consideration; the committee record shows the amendment was adopted and the underlying bill moved to the floor.
