Waives biennial registration fee for voluntary ambulance services

2 Co-sponsors

• Simcha Felder
• William J. Larkin Jr.

BILL NUMBER:S4361

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to a voluntary ambulance service exception to the biennial registration fee

Purpose

To exempt volunteer fire based EMS from the requirement to pay a fee to obtain a limited, lab license to perform blood glucose testing.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Amends Paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section 579 of the Public Health Law to provide an exception for voluntary ambulance services being required to pay a fee to obtain a certificate of registration for blood glucose testing.

Section 2: Effective Date.

Justification

NYS Public Health law requires that any EMS agency testing blood glucose, whether by electronic glucometer or chemstrip, be required to possess a limited service laboratory registration. There is a biennial $200 limited license fee imposed on Volunteer EMS for this limited license.

Additional statutory requirements prevent volunteer ambulance response operated by volunteer firefighters from collecting any reimbursement for the care and transportation they provide. The imposition of this $200 fee presents an unnecessary burden on these volunteers without any corresponding benefit. This legislation would not change or relieve any EMS agency from the requirement to possess an appropriate license and provide appropriate quality assurance as currently required under Public Health Law. Volunteer organizations would continue to register with appropriate Health authorities and perform all appropriate proficiencies for blood glucose testing that are currently required.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

This bill would ease the financial burden on local volunteer fire departments by reducing their expenses.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.