53-2d - Emergency Medical Services Act

Title 53 > 53-2d

Sections (69)

General Provisions

53-2d-101 - Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) “911 ambulance or paramedic services” means:either:911 ambulance service;911 paramedic service; orboth 911 ambulance and paramedic service; anda response to a 911 call received by a designated dispatch center that receives 911 or E911 calls.”911 ambulance or paramedic services” does not mean a seven or 10 digit telephone call received directly by an ambulance provider licensed under this chapter.

(2) “Air ambulance” means an ambulance that operates through air flight.

(3) “Air ambulance provider” means an ambulance provider that provides emergency medical services using an air ambulance.

(4) “Ambulance” means a ground, air, or water vehicle that:transports patients and is used to provide emergency medical services; andis required to obtain a permit under Section 53-2d-404 to operate in the state.

(5) “Ambulance provider” means an emergency medical service provider that:transports and provides emergency medical care to patients; andis required to obtain a license under Part 5, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers.

(6) “Automatic external defibrillator” or “AED” means an automated or automatic computerized medical device that:has received pre-market notification approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. Sec. 360(k);is capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia;is capable of determining, without intervention by an operator, whether defibrillation should be performed; andupon determining that defibrillation should be performed, automatically charges, enabling delivery of, or automatically delivers, an electrical impulse through the chest wall and to an individual’s heart.

(7) “Behavioral emergency services” means delivering a behavioral health intervention to a patient in an emergency context within a scope and in accordance with guidelines established by the department.”Behavioral emergency services” does not include engaging in the:practice of mental health therapy as defined in Section 58-60-102;practice of psychology as defined in Section 58-61-102;practice of clinical social work as defined in Section 58-60-202;practice of certified social work as defined in Section 58-60-202;practice of marriage and family therapy as defined in Section 58-60-302;practice of clinical mental health counseling as defined in Section 58-60-402; orpractice as a substance use disorder counselor as defined in Section 58-60-502.

(8) “Bureau” means the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services created in Section 53-2d-102.

(9) “Cardiopulmonary resuscitation” or “CPR” means artificial ventilation or external chest compression applied to a person who is unresponsive and not breathing.

(10) “Committee” means the Trauma System and Emergency Medical Services Committee created by Section 53-2d-104.

(11) “Community paramedicine” means medical care:provided by emergency medical service personnel; andprovided to a patient who is not:in need of ambulance transportation; orlocated in a health care facility as defined in Section 26B-2-201.

(12) “Direct medical observation” means in-person observation of a patient by a physician, registered nurse, physician’s assistant, or individual licensed under Section 53-2d-402.

(13) “Emergency medical condition” means:a medical condition that manifests itself by symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, that a prudent layperson, who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in:placing the individual’s health in serious jeopardy;serious impairment to bodily functions; orserious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part; ora medical condition that in the opinion of a physician or the physician’s designee requires direct medical observation during transport or may require the intervention of an individual licensed under Section 53-2d-402 during transport.

(14) “Emergency medical dispatch center” means a public safety answering point, as defined in Section 63H-7a-103, that is designated as an emergency medical dispatch center by the bureau.

(15) “Emergency medical service personnel” means an individual who provides emergency medical services or behavioral emergency services to a patient and is required to be licensed or certified under Section 53-2d-402.”Emergency medical service personnel” includes a paramedic, medical director of a licensed emergency medical service provider, emergency medical service instructor, behavioral emergency services technician, and a certified emergency medical dispatcher.

(16) “Emergency medical service providers” means:licensed ambulance providers and paramedic providers;a facility or provider that is required to be designated under Subsection 53-2d-403(1)(a); andemergency medical service personnel.

(17) “Emergency medical services” means:medical services;transportation services;behavioral emergency services; orany combination of the services described in Subsections (17)(a) through (c).

(18) “Emergency medical service vehicle” means a land, air, or water vehicle that is:maintained and used for the transportation of emergency medical personnel, equipment, and supplies to the scene of a medical emergency; andrequired to be permitted under Section 53-2d-404.

(19) “Governing body”:means the same as that term is defined in Section 11-42-102; andfor purposes of a “special service district” under Section 11-42-102, means a special service district that has been delegated the authority to select a provider under this chapter by the special service district’s legislative body or administrative control board.

(20) “Interested party” means:a licensed or designated emergency medical services provider that provides emergency medical services within or in an area that abuts an exclusive geographic service area that is the subject of an application submitted pursuant to Part 5, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers;any municipality, county, or fire district that lies within or abuts a geographic service area that is the subject of an application submitted pursuant to Part 5, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers; orthe department when acting in the interest of the public.

(21) “Level of service” means the level at which an ambulance provider type of service is licensed as:emergency medical technician;advanced emergency medical technician; orparamedic.

(22) “Medical control” means a person who provides medical supervision to an emergency medical service provider.

(23) “Non-911 service” means transport of a patient that is not 911 transport under Subsection (1).

(24) “Nonemergency secured behavioral health transport” means an entity that:provides nonemergency secure transportation services for an individual who:is not required to be transported by an ambulance under Section 53-2d-405; andrequires behavioral health observation during transport between any of the following facilities:a licensed acute care hospital;an emergency patient receiving facility;a licensed mental health facility; andthe office of a licensed health care provider; andis required to be designated under Section 53-2d-403.

(25) “Paramedic provider” means an entity that:employs emergency medical service personnel; andis required to obtain a license under Part 5, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers.

(26) “Patient” means an individual who, as the result of illness, injury, or a behavioral emergency condition, meets any of the criteria in Section 53-2d-405.

(27) “Political subdivision” means:a city or town;a county;a special service district created under Title 17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act, for the purpose of providing fire protection services under Subsection 17D-1-201(9);a special district created under Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Special Districts, for the purpose of providing fire protection, paramedic, and emergency services;areas coming together as described in Subsection 53-2d-505.2(2)(b)(ii); oran interlocal entity under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act.

(28) “Sudden cardiac arrest” means a life-threatening condition that results when a person’s heart stops or fails to produce a pulse.

(29) “Training center” means a person designated by the bureau to provide emergency medical services practitioner training, including:training for initial licensure; andcontinuing medical education under Section 53-2d-402.

(30) “Trauma” means an injury requiring immediate medical or surgical intervention.

(31) “Trauma system” means a single, statewide system that:organizes and coordinates the delivery of trauma care within defined geographic areas from the time of injury through transport and rehabilitative care; andis inclusive of all prehospital providers, hospitals, and rehabilitative facilities in delivering care for trauma patients, regardless of severity.

(32) “Triage” means the sorting of patients in terms of disposition, destination, or priority. For prehospital trauma victims, triage requires a determination of injury severity to assess the appropriate level of care according to established patient care protocols.

(33) “Triage, treatment, transportation, and transfer guidelines” means written procedures that:direct the care of patients; andare adopted by the medical staff of an emergency patient receiving facility, trauma center, or an emergency medical service provider.

(34) “Type of service” means the category at which an ambulance provider is licensed as:ground ambulance transport;ground ambulance interfacility transport; orboth ground ambulance transport and ground ambulance interfacility transport.

Amended by Chapter 277, 2025 General Session

53-2d-102 - Bureau of Emergency Medical Services — Creation — Bureau chief appointment, qualifications, and compensation.

(1) There is created within the department the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

(2) The bureau shall be administered by a bureau chief appointed by the commissioner.

(3) The bureau chief shall be experienced in administration and possess additional qualifications as determined by the commissioner and as provided by law.

(4) The bureau chief acts under the supervision and control of the commissioner and may be removed from the position at the will of the commissioner.

(5) The bureau chief shall receive compensation as provided by Title 63A, Chapter 17, Utah State Personnel Management Act.

Enacted by Chapter 310, 2023 General Session

(1) The bureau shall:coordinate the emergency medical services within the state;administer and enforce any programs and applicable rules created under this chapter;establish an emergency medical service personnel peer review board to hear matters regarding licensure under this chapter; andadopt rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to:license ambulance agencies and paramedic agencies;permit ambulances, emergency medical response vehicles, and nonemergency secured behavioral health transport vehicles, including approving an emergency vehicle operator’s course in accordance with Section 53-2d-404;license emergency medical personnel;establish:the qualifications for membership of the peer review board created by this section;a process for placing restrictions on a license while an investigation is pending;the process for the investigation and hearings before the peer review board; andthe process for determining the status of a license while an investigation is pending;establish application, submission, and procedural requirements for licenses, designations, and permits;establish and implement the programs, plans, and responsibilities as specified in other sections of this chapter; andestablish qualifications for individuals permitted to draw blood under Subsections 41-6a-523(1)(a)(vi), 53-10-405(2)(a)(vi), 72-10-502(5)(a)(vi), and 77-23-213(3)(a)(vi), and issue permits to qualified individuals.

(2) The bureau shall share data related to the bureau’s duties with the Department of Health and Human Services.The Department of Health and Human Services shall share data related to the bureau’s duties with the bureau.All data collected by the bureau under this chapter is subject to Title 26B, Chapter 8, Part 4, Health Statistics, including data privacy protections.

Amended by Chapter 260, 2025 General Session

53-2d-104 - Trauma System and Emergency Medical Services Committee — Membership — Expenses.

(1) There is created the Trauma System and Emergency Medical Services Committee.

(2) The committee shall be composed of the following 11 members appointed by the governor, at least three of whom shall reside in a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class:four physicians licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or Title 58, Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, as follows:one surgeon who actively provides trauma care at a hospital;one rural physician involved in emergency medical care;one physician who practices in the emergency department of a general acute hospital; andone pediatrician who practices in the emergency department or critical care unit of a general acute hospital or a children’s specialty hospital;one representative from a private ambulance provider;one representative from an ambulance provider that is neither privately owned nor operated by a fire department;one chief officer from a fire agency operated by one of the following classes of licensed or designated emergency medical services providers:a municipality;a county; ora fire district;andfour of any of the following representatives:one director of a law enforcement agency that provides emergency medical services;one hospital administrator;one emergency care nurse;one paramedic in active field practice;one emergency medical technician in active field practice;one certified emergency medical dispatcher affiliated with an emergency medical dispatch center;one licensed mental health professional with experience as a first responder;one licensed behavioral emergency services technician; orone consumer.

(3) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), members shall be appointed to a four-year term.Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a), the governor:shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of committee members are staggered so that approximately half of the committee is appointed every two years; andmay not reappoint a member for more than two consecutive terms.When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement shall be appointed by the governor for the unexpired term.

(4) Each January, the committee shall organize and select one of the committee’s members as chair and one member as vice chair.The committee may organize standing or ad hoc subcommittees, which shall operate in accordance with guidelines established by the committee.The chair shall convene a minimum of four meetings per year.The chair may call special meetings.The chair shall call a meeting upon request of five or more members of the committee.Six members of the committee constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.The action of a majority of the members present is the action of the committee.

(5) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member’s service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:Section 63A-3-106;Section 63A-3-107; andrules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.

(6) Administrative services for the committee shall be provided by the bureau.

Amended by Chapter 506, 2024 General Session

53-2d-105 - Committee advisory duties.

The Trauma System and Emergency Medical Services Committee created under Section 53-2d-104 shall:

(1) advise the bureau chief regarding:licensure, certification, and reciprocity requirements under Section 53-2d-402;designation requirements under Section 53-2d-403;insurance requirements for ambulance providers;guidelines for requiring patient data under Section 53-2d-203;criteria for awarding grants under Section 53-2d-207;requirements for the coordination of emergency medical services and the medical supervision of emergency medical service providers under Section 53-2d-403;appropriate vendors to establish certification requirements for emergency medical dispatchers;the minimum level of service for 911 ambulance services provided under Section 11-48-103; andrules necessary to administer this chapter, which shall be made by the bureau chief in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;

(2) on or before June 1 of each year, deliver to the bureau a recommended fine schedule, setting forth the Trauma System and Emergency Medical Services Committee’s recommendations, for each type of violation, regarding the range of potential fines that the bureau should adopt and impose under Subsection 53-2d-604(3); and

(3) promote the development of a statewide emergency medical services system under Section 53-2d-403.

Amended by Chapter 260, 2025 General Session

53-2d-108 - Emergency Medical Services System Account.

(1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the Emergency Medical Services System Account.

(2) The account consists of: interest earned on the account;appropriations made by the Legislature; andcontributions deposited into the account in accordance with Section 41-1a-230.7.

(3) The bureau shall use: an amount equal to 25% of the money in the account for administrative costs related to this chapter;an amount equal to 75% of the money in the account for grants awarded in accordance with Subsection 53-2d-207(3); andall money received from the revenue source in Subsection (2)(c) for grants awarded in accordance with Subsection 53-2d-207(3).

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 305, 2023 General Session

53-2d-109 - Emergency Medical Services Critical Needs Account.

(1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the “Emergency Medical Services Critical Needs Account.”

(2) The account shall be funded through deposits of:interest earned on the account;appropriations made by the Legislature; andcontributions deposited into the account in accordance with Subsection 53-2d-207(3)(g).

(3) All funds in the account shall be nonlapsing.

(4) The bureau shall:calculate and allocate for use under Subsection (4)(b) an amount not greater than 25% of the fund balance, quarterly, as of January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year; anduse the allocated amount under Subsection (4)(a) to award and fund critical needs grants:in accordance with the criteria and procedures established by administrative rule; andduring the three-month period ending on the date of the next quarterly allocation under Subsection (4)(a).

Enacted by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

53-2d-110 - Emergency Medical Services Critical Needs Account.

(1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the “Emergency Medical Services Critical Needs Account.”

(3) All funds in the account shall be nonlapsing.

Enacted by Chapter 260, 2025 General Session

Programs, Plans, and Duties

53-2d-201 - Public awareness efforts.

The bureau may:

(1) develop programs to inform the public of the emergency medical service system; and

(2) develop and disseminate emergency medical training programs for the public, which emphasize the prevention and treatment of injuries and illnesses.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-202 - Emergency medical communications.

Consistent with federal law, the bureau is the lead agency for coordinating the statewide emergency medical service communication systems under which emergency medical personnel, dispatch centers, and treatment facilities provide medical control and coordination between emergency medical service providers.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-203 - Data collection.

(1) As used in this section:“Clinical health information” means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-8-411.”Electronic exchange” means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-8-411.”Emergency medical service provider” means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-2d-101.”Emergency medical services” means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-2d-101.”Qualified network” means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-8-411.

(2) The bureau shall specify the information that shall be collected for the emergency medical services data system established pursuant to Subsection (3).

(3) The bureau shall establish an emergency medical services data system, which shall provide for the collection, analysis, and reporting of information, as defined by the bureau, relating to the response, treatment, and care of patients who use or have used the emergency medical services system.The bureau shall coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services, to create a report of data collected by the Department of Health and Human Services under Section 26B-8-504 regarding:appropriate analytical methods;the total amount of air ambulance flight charges in the state for a one-year period; andof the total number of flights in a one-year period under Subsection (3)(b)(ii):the number of flights for which a patient had no personal responsibility for paying part of the flight charges;the number of flights for which a patient had personal responsibility to pay all or part of the flight charges;the range of flight charges for which patients had personal responsibility under Subsection (3)(b)(iii)(B), including the median amount for paid patient personal responsibility; andthe name of any air ambulance provider that received a median paid amount for patient responsibility in excess of the median amount for all paid patient personal responsibility during the reporting year.The bureau may share, within the department, information from the emergency medical services data system that:relates to traffic incidents; andis for the improvement of traffic and public safety.Information shared under Subsection (3)(c) may not be used for the prosecution of criminal matters.Subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-191, 110 Stat. 1936, as amended:the bureau may submit clinical health information about a patient, to a qualified network, via electronic exchange of clinical health information, if:the electronic exchange of clinical health information meets the standards established by the Department of Health and Human Services under Section 26B-8-411; andthe clinical health information was collected by an emergency medical service provider performing emergency medical services for the provider’s patient;in connection with providing emergency medical services to a patient, an emergency medical service provider may, through electronic exchange, access the patient’s clinical health information that is pertinent to the emergency medical services provided; andan emergency medical service provider may use clinical health information only to provide and improve the quality of the emergency medical service provider’s services.

(4) On or before October 1, the bureau shall make the information in Subsection (3)(b) public and send the information in Subsection (3)(b) to public safety dispatchers and first responders in the state.Before making the information in Subsection (3)(b) public, the bureau shall provide the air ambulance providers named in the report with the opportunity to respond to the accuracy of the information in the report under Section 26B-8-506.

(5) Persons providing emergency medical services:shall provide information to the bureau for the emergency medical services data system established pursuant to Subsection (3)(a);are not required to provide information to the bureau under Subsection (3)(b); andmay provide information to the bureau under Subsection (3)(b) or (4)(b).

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

53-2d-204 - Disaster coordination plan.

The bureau shall develop and implement, in cooperation with state, federal, and local agencies empowered to oversee disaster response activities, plans to provide emergency medical services during times of disaster or emergency.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 310, 2023 General Session

53-2d-205 - Pediatric quality improvement program.

The bureau shall establish a pediatric quality improvement resource program.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 310, 2023 General Session

53-2d-206 - Personnel critical incident stress management program.

(1) The bureau shall facilitate a statewide program to provide support and counseling for personnel who have been exposed to one or more stressful incidents in the course of providing emergency services.

(2) The critical incident stress management program shall include:ongoing training for agencies providing emergency services and counseling program volunteers;critical incident stress debriefing for personnel at no cost to the emergency provider; andadvising the department on training requirements for licensure as a behavioral emergency services technician.

(3) The department shall annually provide informational resources to first responder agencies about the critical incident stress management program in a format that will ensure that the first responder agency receives the information.The informational resources described in Subsection (3)(a) shall include educational resources about the critical incident stress management program directed to:the first responder agency administration; andthe employees or volunteers of the first responder agency.

(4) The department shall receive, process, and reimburse reasonable actual expenses, including mileage, incurred by a volunteer during the course of a volunteer’s provision of critical incident stress management services under this section.The department shall, on the department’s website, provide information concerning:the expenses that are eligible for reimbursement for a critical incident stress management program volunteer under Subsection (4)(a); andinstructions on how a critical incident stress management volunteer may submit a request for reimbursement under Subsection (4)(a).

(5) The department shall, in collaboration with current critical incident stress management program volunteers, organize and provide an annual training for critical incident stress management program volunteers.For the training described in Subsection (5)(a), the department shall:pay for or reimburse reasonable actual expenses for a critical incident stress management program volunteer who attends the training;collaborate with existing critical incident stress management program volunteers to determine a location for the training; andprovide information on the department’s website about the training.

Amended by Chapter 345, 2024 General Session

53-2d-207 - Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.

(1) Funds appropriated to the bureau for the Emergency Medical Services Grant Program shall be used for improvement of delivery of emergency medical services and administrative costs as described in Subsection (2)(a).

(2) From the total amount of funds appropriated to the bureau under Subsection (1), the bureau shall use:an amount equal to 50% of the funds:to provide staff support; andfor other expenses incurred in:administration of grant funds; andother bureau administrative costs under this chapter; andan amount equal to 50% of the funds to provide emergency medical services grants in accordance with Subsection (3).

(3) A recipient of a grant under this section shall actively provide emergency medical services within the state.From the total amount of funds used to provide grants under Subsection (3), the bureau shall distribute an amount equal to 21% as per capita block grants for use specifically related to the provision of emergency medical services to nonprofit prehospital emergency medical services providers that are either licensed or designated and to emergency medical services that are the primary emergency medical services for a service area.The bureau shall determine the grant amounts by prorating available funds on a per capita basis by county as described in bureau rule.Subject to Subsections (3)(d) through (f), the bureau shall use the remaining grant funds to award competitive grants to licensed emergency medical services providers that provide emergency medical services within counties of the third through sixth class, in accordance with rules made by the bureau.A grant awarded under Subsection (3)(c) shall be used:for the purchase of equipment, subject to Subsection (3)(e); orfor the recruitment, training, or retention of licensed emergency medical services providers.A recipient of a grant under Subsection (3)(c) may not use more than $200,000 in grant proceeds for the purchase of vehicles.A grant awarded for the purpose described in Subsection (3)(d)(ii) is ongoing for a period of up to three years.If, after providing grants under Subsections (3)(c) through (f), any grant funds are unallocated at the end of the fiscal year, the bureau shall deposit the unallocated grant funds into the Emergency Medical Services Critical Needs Account created under Section 53-2d-109.

Amended by Chapter 260, 2025 General Session

53-2d-208 - Fees for training equipment rental, testing, and quality assurance reviews.

(1) The bureau may charge fees, established in accordance with Section 63J-1-504: for the use of bureau-owned training equipment;to administer tests and conduct quality assurance reviews; andto process an application for a designation, permit, or license.

(2) Fees collected under Subsections (1)(a) and (b) shall be separate dedicated credits.Fees under Subsection (1)(a) may be used to purchase training equipment.Fees under Subsection (1)(b) may be used to administer tests and conduct quality assurance reviews.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-209 - Regional Emergency Medical Services Liaisons — Qualifications — Duties.

(1) As used in this section:“Liaison” means a regional emergency medical services liaison hired under this section.”Rural county” means a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class.

(2) The department, in consultation with the bureau, shall hire five individuals to serve as regional emergency medical services liaisons to:serve the needs of rural counties in providing emergency medical services in accordance with this chapter;act as a liaison between the bureau and individuals or entities responsible for emergency medical services in rural counties, including:emergency medical services providers;local officials; andlocal health departments or agencies;provide support and training to emergency medical services providers in rural counties;assist rural counties in utilizing state and federal grant programs for financing emergency medical services; andserve as emergency medical service personnel to assist licensed providers with ambulance staffing needs within rural counties.

(3) Each liaison hired under Subsection (2):shall reside in a rural county; andshall be licensed as:an advanced emergency medical technician as defined in Section 53-2e-101; ora paramedic as defined in Section 53-2e-101.

(4) The bureau shall provide each liaison with a vehicle and other equipment.

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

53-2d-210 - Emergency medical service employees providing medical services in non-911 emergency settings.

(1) As used in this section:“Direct supervision” means a medical director or other physician is present and available for face-to-face communication with an emergency medical service employee being supervised by the medical director or other physician at the time and place any non-911 emergency medical services authorized by the medical director or other physician are being provided by the emergency medical service employee.”Emergency medical service employee” means a following individual licensed under this chapter:a paramedic;an advanced emergency medical services technician;emergency medical services technician; oran emergency medical responder.”Indirect supervision” means a medical director or other physician, licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or Title 58, Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, who is available for consultation regarding any non-911 emergency medical services the medical director or other physician has authorized an emergency medical service employee to perform, regardless of whether the medical director or other physician is located on the same premises as the emergency medical service employee being supervised.”Medical director” means a physician licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or Title 58, Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, who is accountable for the non-911 emergency medical services provided by an emergency medical service employee.”Non-911 emergency medical services” means medical services that are not provided by a licensed ambulance provider or a licensed paramedic provider.

(2) A company, a corporation, a partnership, or other entity may employ an emergency medical service employee to provide non-911 emergency medical services as described in Subsection (3) if the company, corporation, partnership, or other entity:employs a medical director to manage the emergency medical service employee;has protocols approved by the medical director establishing how the emergency medical service employee is:to provide non-911 emergency medical services; andto be supervised by the medical director or other physician as described in Subsection (4);implements and maintains a quality improvement process;establishes a process for the emergency medical service employee to initiate 911 emergency services for identified emergencies in compliance with rules made by the bureau;maintains patient records for all patients receiving non-911 emergency medical services that:comply with typical medical documentation standards; andare auditable and accessible upon request by the bureau;obtains any licenses required by law for the non-911 emergency medical services the company, corporation, partnership, or other entity will employ the emergency medical service employee to perform;does not advertise or claim that the company, corporation, partnership, or other entity is providing non-911 emergency medical services as an alternative to 911 emergency response;assesses the education and training of the emergency medical service employee to ensure that the emergency medical service employee is competent and able to provide the non-911 emergency medical services sought;provides continuing education and training as needed to ensure the continued competency and eligibility for licensure of the emergency medical service employee to provide the non-911 emergency medical services sought; andcomplies with any bureau rules created in accordance with this section.

(3) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), and subject to Subsection (4), an emergency medical service employee employed by a company, a corporation, a partnership, or other entity that complies with Subsection (2) may provide non-911 emergency medical services that:the emergency medical service employee has been trained to perform;the emergency medical service employee has been credentialed, privileged, or authorized to perform; andare within the emergency medical service employee’s scope of practice as defined by the bureau.Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a), an emergency medical service employee may provide non-911 emergency medical services outside the emergency medical service employee’s scope of practice described in Subsection (3)(a) if:the medical service is approved by the bureau;the emergency medical service employee has been trained to perform the non-911 emergency medical service; andthe emergency medical service employee is otherwise complying with the requirements of this section.

(4) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), an emergency medical service employee may provide the non-911 emergency medical services described in Subsection (3) if the emergency medical service employee is providing the services under the direct supervision or indirect supervision of a medical director or another physician.An emergency medical service employee may provide the non-911 emergency medical services described in Subsection (3) under the direct supervision or indirect supervision of a nurse practitioner or physician assistant if:the emergency medical service employee is providing the non-911 emergency medical services in a county of the fourth, fifth, or sixth class as described in Section 17-50-501; orif approved by the bureau.

(5) An emergency medical service employee providing non-911 emergency medical services under this section may perform the non-911 emergency medical services in a hospital, in an emergency room, in a clinic, in a community paramedicine program, at an event, or any other location where non-911 emergency medical services may need to be provided.

(6) The bureau shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to:define the scope of practice for an emergency medical service employee as described in Subsection (3)(a); andestablish minimum standards for the requirements listed in Subsection (2).

(7) This section does not expand or limit the scope of practice for an emergency medical service employee when the emergency medical service employee is responding to an emergency or providing 911 ambulance services.

Enacted by Chapter 13, 2025 General Session

53-2d-211 - Community paramedicine program.

(1) A ground ambulance provider or a designated quick response provider, as designated in accordance with Section 53-2d-403, may develop and implement a community paramedicine program.

(2) Before providing services, a community paramedicine program shall:implement training requirements as determined by the bureau; andsubmit a written community paramedicine operational plan to the bureau that meets requirements established by the bureau.A community paramedicine program shall report data, as determined by the bureau, related to community paramedicine to the bureau.

(3) A service provided as part of a community paramedicine program may not be billed to an individual or a health benefit plan as defined in Section 31A-1-301 unless:the service is provided in partnership with a health care facility as defined in Section 26B-2-201; andthe partnering health care facility is the person that bills the individual or health benefit plan.

(4) Nothing in this section affects any billing authorized under Section 53-2d-503.

(5) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, and Section 53-2d-105, the bureau shall make rules to implement this section.

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

Statewide Trauma System

53-2d-301 - Establishment of statewide trauma system.

The bureau shall establish and actively supervise a statewide trauma system to:

(1) promote optimal care for trauma patients;

(2) alleviate unnecessary death and disability from trauma and emergency illness;

(3) inform health care providers about trauma system capabilities;

(4) encourage the efficient and effective continuum of patient care, including prevention, prehospital care, hospital care, and rehabilitative care; and

(5) minimize the overall cost of trauma care.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-303 - Department duties.

In connection with the statewide trauma system established in Section 53-2d-301 , the bureau shall:

(1) establish a statewide trauma system plan that: identifies statewide trauma care needs, objectives, and priorities;identifies the equipment, facilities, personnel training, and other things necessary to create and maintain a statewide trauma system; andorganizes and coordinates trauma care within defined geographic areas;

(2) support the statewide trauma system by: facilitating the coordination of prehospital, acute care, and rehabilitation services and providers through state regulation and oversight;facilitating the ongoing evaluation and refinement of the statewide trauma system;providing educational programs;encouraging cooperation between community organizations, health care facilities, public health officials, emergency medical service providers, and rehabilitation facilities for the development of a statewide trauma system;implementing a quality assurance program using information from the statewide trauma registry established pursuant to Section 53-2d-304;establishing trauma center designation requirements in accordance with Section 53-2d-305; anddeveloping standards so that:trauma centers are categorized according to their capability to provide care;trauma victims are triaged at the initial point of patient contact; andtrauma patients are sent to appropriate health care facilities.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-304 - Statewide trauma registry and quality assurance program.

(1) The bureau shall:establish and fund a statewide trauma registry to collect and analyze information on the incidence, severity, causes, and outcomes of trauma;establish, by rule, the data elements, the medical care providers that shall report, and the time frame and format for reporting;use the data collected to:improve the availability and delivery of prehospital and hospital trauma care;assess trauma care delivery, patient care outcomes, and compliance with the requirements of this chapter and applicable department rules; andregularly produce and disseminate reports to data providers, state government, and the public; andsupport data collection and abstraction by providing:a data collection system and technical assistance to each hospital that submits data; andfunding or, at the discretion of the bureau, personnel for collection and abstraction for each hospital not designated as a trauma center under the standards established pursuant to Section 53-2d-305.

(2) Each hospital shall submit trauma data in accordance with rules established under Subsection (1).A hospital designated as a trauma center shall submit data as part of the ongoing quality assurance program established in Section 53-2d-303.

(3) The department shall assess:the effectiveness of the data collected pursuant to Subsection (1); andthe impact of the statewide trauma system on the provision of trauma care.

(4) Data collected under this section shall be subject to Title 26B, Chapter 8, Part 4, Health Statistics.

(5) No person may be held civilly liable for having provided data to the department in accordance with this section.

Amended by Chapter 147, 2024 General Session

53-2d-305 - Trauma center designations and guidelines.

(1) The bureau shall establish by rule:trauma center designation requirements; andmodel state guidelines for triage, treatment, transportation, and transfer of trauma patients to the most appropriate health care facility.

(2) The bureau shall designate as a trauma center each hospital that:voluntarily requests a trauma center designation; andmeets the applicable requirements established pursuant to Subsection (1).

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

Certificates, Designations, Permits, and Licenses

53-2d-401 - General requirement.

(1) Except as provided in Section 53-2d-408 or 53-2d-801: an individual may not provide emergency medical services without a license or certification issued under Section 53-2d-402;a facility or provider may not hold itself out as a designated emergency medical service provider or nonemergency secured behavioral health transport provider without a designation issued under Section 53-2d-403;a vehicle may not operate as an ambulance, emergency response vehicle, or nonemergency secured behavioral health transport vehicle without a permit issued under Section 53-2d-404; andan entity may not respond as an ambulance or paramedic provider without the appropriate license issued under Part 5, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers.

(2) Section 53-2d-602 applies to violations of this section.

Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session, (Coordination Clause)

53-2d-402 - Licensure of emergency medical service personnel.

(1) To promote the availability of comprehensive emergency medical services throughout the state, the bureau shall establish:initial and ongoing licensure and training requirements for emergency medical service personnel in the following categories:paramedic;advanced emergency medical services technician;emergency medical services technician;emergency medical responder;behavioral emergency services technician; andadvanced behavioral emergency services technician;a method to monitor the certification status and continuing medical education hours for emergency medical dispatchers; andguidelines for giving credit for out-of-state training and experience.

(2) The bureau shall, based on the requirements established in Subsection (1):develop, conduct, and authorize training and testing for emergency medical service personnel;issue a license and license renewals to emergency medical service personnel other than emergency medical dispatchers; andverify the certification of emergency medical dispatchers.

(3) The bureau shall coordinate with local mental health authorities described in Section 17-77-301 to develop and authorize initial and ongoing licensure and training requirements for licensure as a:behavioral emergency services technician; andadvanced behavioral emergency services technician.

(4) As provided in Section 53-2d-602, an individual issued a license or certified under this section may only provide emergency medical services to the extent allowed by the license or certification.

(5) An individual may not be issued or retain a license under this section unless the individual obtains and retains background clearance under Section 53-2d-410.

(6) An individual may not be issued or retain a certification under this section unless the individual obtains and retains background clearance in accordance with Section 53-2d-410.5.

Amended by Chapter 16, 2025 Special Session 1

53-2d-403 - Designation of emergency medical service providers, training centers, and nonemergency secured behavioral health transport providers.

(1) To ensure quality emergency medical services, the bureau shall establish designation requirements for:emergency medical service providers in the following categories:quick response provider;resource hospital for emergency medical providers;emergency medical service dispatch center;emergency patient receiving facilities; andother types of emergency medical service providers as the bureau considers necessary; andnonemergency secured behavioral health transport providers.

(2) The bureau shall, based on the requirements in Subsection (1), issue designations to emergency medical service providers and nonemergency secured behavioral health transport providers listed in Subsection (1).

(3) As provided in Section 53-2d-602, an entity issued a designation under Subsection (2) may only function and hold itself out in accordance with its designation.

(4) The bureau shall establish designation requirements for training centers that are:colleges or universities;vocational schools;technical colleges;for profit and non-profit organizations; orprivately owned or operated businesses.

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

53-2d-404 - Permits for emergency medical service vehicles and nonemergency secured behavioral health transport vehicles.

(1) To ensure that emergency medical service vehicles and nonemergency secured behavioral health transport vehicles are adequately staffed, safe, maintained, properly equipped, and safely operated, the bureau shall establish permit requirements at levels it considers appropriate in the following categories:ambulance;emergency medical response vehicle; andnonemergency secured behavioral health transport vehicle.The permit requirements under Subsections (1)(a)(i) and (ii) shall include a requirement that every operator of an ambulance or emergency medical response vehicle annually provide proof of the successful completion of an emergency vehicle operator’s course approved by the bureau for all ambulances and emergency medical response vehicle operators.

(2) The bureau shall, based on the requirements established in Subsection (1), issue permits to emergency medical service vehicles and nonemergency secured behavioral health transport vehicles.

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

53-2d-405 - Ambulance license required for emergency medical transport.

Except as provided in Section 53-2d-408 , only an ambulance operating under a permit issued under Section 53-2d-404 may transport an individual who:

(1) is in an emergency medical condition;

(2) is medically or mentally unstable, requiring direct medical observation during transport;

(3) is physically incapacitated because of illness or injury and in need of immediate transport by emergency medical service personnel;

(4) is likely to require medical attention during transport;

(5) is being maintained on any type of emergency medical electronic monitoring;

(6) is receiving or has recently received medications that could cause a sudden change in medical condition that might require emergency medical services;

(7) requires IV administration or maintenance, oxygen that is not patient-operated, or other emergency medical services during transport;

(8) needs to be immobilized during transport to a hospital, an emergency patient receiving facility, or mental health facility due to a mental or physical condition, unless the individual is in the custody of a peace officer and the primary purpose of the restraint is to prevent escape;

(9) needs to be immobilized due to a fracture, possible fracture, or other medical condition; or

(10) otherwise requires or has the potential to require a level of medical care that the bureau establishes as requiring direct medical observation.

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

53-2d-406 - Medical control.

(1) The bureau shall establish requirements for the coordination of emergency medical services rendered by emergency medical service providers, including the coordination between prehospital providers, hospitals, emergency patient receiving facilities, and other appropriate destinations.

(2) The bureau shall establish requirements for the medical supervision of emergency medical service providers to assure adequate physician oversight of emergency medical services and quality improvement.

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

53-2d-407 - Patient destination.

(1) If an individual being transported by a ground or air ambulance is in a critical or unstable medical condition, the ground or air ambulance shall transport the patient to the trauma center or closest emergency patient receiving facility appropriate to adequately treat the patient.

(2) If the patient’s condition is not critical or unstable as determined by medical control, the ground or air ambulance may transport the patient to the: hospital, emergency patient receiving facility, licensed mental health facility, or other medical provider chosen by the patient and approved by medical control as appropriate for the patient’s condition and needs; ornearest hospital, emergency patient receiving facility, licensed mental health facility, or other medical provider approved by medical control as appropriate for the patient’s condition and needs if the patient expresses no preference.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-408 - Exemptions.

(1) The following persons may provide emergency medical services to a patient without being licensed under this chapter: out-of-state emergency medical service personnel and providers in time of disaster;an individual who gratuitously acts as a Good Samaritan;a family member;a private business if emergency medical services are provided only to employees at the place of business and during transport;an agency of the United States government if compliance with this chapter would be inconsistent with federal law; andpolice, fire, and other public service personnel if:emergency medical services are rendered in the normal course of the person’s duties; andmedical control, after being apprised of the circumstances, directs immediate transport.

(2) An ambulance or emergency response vehicle may operate without a permit issued under Section 53-2d-404 in time of disaster.

(3) Nothing in this chapter or Title 58, Occupations and Professions, may be construed as requiring a license for an individual to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or to use a fully automated external defibrillator under Section 53-2d-801.

(4) Nothing in this chapter may be construed as requiring a license, permit, or designation for an acute care hospital, medical clinic, physician’s office, or other fixed medical facility that: is staffed by a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse; andtreats an individual who has presented himself or was transported to the hospital, clinic, office, or facility.

Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session, (Coordination Clause)

53-2d-409 - Out-of-state vehicles.

(1) An ambulance or emergency response vehicle from another state may not pick up a patient in Utah to transport that patient to another location in Utah or to another state without a permit issued under Section 53-2d-404 and, in the case of an ambulance, a license issued under Part 5, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers.

(2) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), an ambulance or emergency response vehicle from another state may, without a permit or license: transport a patient into Utah; andprovide assistance in time of disaster.

(3) The bureau may enter into agreements with ambulance and paramedic providers and their respective licensing agencies from other states to assure the expeditious delivery of emergency medical services beyond what may be reasonably provided by licensed ambulance and paramedic providers, including the transportation of patients between states.

Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session, (Coordination Clause)

53-2d-410 - Background clearance for emergency medical service personnel.

(1) Subject to Section 53-2d-410.5, the bureau shall determine whether to grant background clearance for an individual seeking licensure or certification under Section 53-2d-402 from whom the bureau receives:the individual’s social security number, fingerprints, and other personal identification information specified by the department under Subsection (4); andany fees established by the department under Subsection (10).

(2) The bureau shall determine whether to deny or revoke background clearance for individuals for whom the department has previously granted background clearance.

(3) The bureau shall determine whether to grant, deny, or revoke background clearance for an individual based on an initial and ongoing evaluation of information the bureau obtains under Subsections (5) and (11), which, at a minimum, shall include an initial criminal background check of state, regional, and national databases using the individual’s fingerprints.

(4) The bureau shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, that specify:the criteria the bureau will use under Subsection (3) to determine whether to grant, deny, or revoke background clearance; andthe other personal identification information an individual seeking licensure or certification under Section 53-2d-402 must submit under Subsection (1).

(5) To determine whether to grant, deny, or revoke background clearance, the bureau may access and evaluate any of the following:Department of Public Safety arrest, conviction, and disposition records described in Chapter 10, Criminal Investigations and Technical Services Act, including information in state, regional, and national records files;adjudications by a juvenile court of committing an act that if committed by an adult would be a felony or misdemeanor, if:the applicant is under 28 years old; orthe applicant:is over 28 years old; andhas been convicted of, has pleaded no contest to, or is currently subject to a plea in abeyance or diversion agreement for a felony or misdemeanor;juvenile court arrest, adjudication, and disposition records, other than those under Subsection (5)(b), as allowed under Section 78A-6-209;child abuse or neglect findings described in Section 80-3-404 or 80-3-504;the department’s Licensing Information System described in Section 80-2-1002;the department’s database of reports of vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation, described in Section 26B-6-210;Division of Professional Licensing records of licensing and certification under Title 58, Occupations and Professions;records in other federal criminal background databases available to the state; andany other records of arrests, warrants for arrest, convictions, pleas in abeyance, pending diversion agreements, or dispositions.

(6) Except for the Department of Public Safety, an agency may not charge the bureau for information accessed under Subsection (5).

(7) When evaluating information under Subsection (3), the bureau shall classify a crime committed in another state according to the closest matching crime under Utah law, regardless of how the crime is classified in the state where the crime was committed.

(8) The bureau shall adopt measures to protect the security of information the department accesses under Subsection (5), which shall include limiting access by department employees to those responsible for acquiring, evaluating, or otherwise processing the information.

(9) The bureau may disclose personal identification information the bureau receives under Subsection (1) to the department to verify that the subject of the information is not identified as a perpetrator or offender in the information sources described in Subsections (5)(d) through (f).

(10) The bureau may charge fees, in accordance with Section 63J-1-504, to pay for:the cost of obtaining, storing, and evaluating information needed under Subsection (3), both initially and on an ongoing basis, to determine whether to grant, deny, or revoke background clearance; andother bureau costs related to granting, denying, or revoking background clearance.

(11) The Criminal Investigations and Technical Services Division within the Department of Public Safety shall:retain, separate from other division records, personal information under Subsection (1), including any fingerprints sent to it by the department; andnotify the bureau upon receiving notice that an individual for whom personal information has been retained is the subject of:a warrant for arrest;an arrest;a conviction, including a plea in abeyance; ora pending diversion agreement.

(12) Clearance granted for an individual licensed or certified under Section 53-2d-402 is valid until two years after the day on which the individual is no longer licensed or certified in Utah as emergency medical service personnel.

Amended by Chapter 447, 2025 General Session

53-2d-410.5 - Background check requirements for emergency medical dispatchers.

An emergency medical dispatcher seeking certification under Section 53-2d-402 shall undergo the background clearance process described in Section 53-2d-410 unless the emergency medical dispatcher can demonstrate that the emergency medical dispatcher has received and currently holds an approved Department of Public Safety background clearance.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

Ambulance and Paramedic Providers

53-2d-501 - State regulation of emergency medical services market — License term.

(1) To ensure emergency medical service quality and minimize unnecessary duplication, the bureau shall regulate the emergency medical services market by creating and operating a statewide system that: consists of exclusive geographic service areas as provided in Section 53-2d-502; andestablishes maximum rates as provided in Section 53-2d-503.

(2) A license issued or renewed under this part is valid for four years.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-502 - Exclusive geographic service areas.

(1) Each ground ambulance provider license issued under this part shall be for an exclusive geographic service area as described in the license.Only the licensed ground ambulance provider may respond to an ambulance request that originates within the provider’s exclusive geographic service area, except as provided in Subsection (5) and Section 53-2d-516.

(2) Each paramedic provider license issued under this part shall be for an exclusive geographic service area as described in the license.Only the licensed paramedic provider may respond to a paramedic request that originates within the exclusive geographic service area, except as provided in Subsection (6) and Section 53-2d-516.

(3) Nothing in this section may be construed as either requiring or prohibiting that the formation of boundaries in a given location be the same for a licensed paramedic provider and a licensed ambulance provider.

(4) A licensed ground ambulance or paramedic provider may, as necessary, enter into a mutual aid agreement to allow another licensed provider to give assistance in times of unusual demand.A mutual aid agreement shall include a formal written plan detailing the type of assistance and the circumstances under which it would be given.The parties to a mutual aid agreement shall submit a copy of the agreement to the bureau.Notwithstanding this Subsection (4), a licensed provider may not subcontract with another entity to provide services in the licensed provider’s exclusive geographic service area.

(5) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), a licensed ground ambulance provider may respond to an ambulance request that originates from the exclusive geographic area of another provider:pursuant to a mutual aid agreement;to render assistance on a case-by-case basis to that provider; andas necessary to meet needs in time of disaster or other major emergency.

(6) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), a licensed paramedic provider may respond to a paramedic request that originates from the exclusive geographic area of another provider:pursuant to a mutual aid agreement;to render assistance on a case-by-case basis to that provider; andas necessary to meet needs in time of disaster or other major emergency.

(7) The bureau may, upon the renewal of a license, align the boundaries of an exclusive geographic area with the boundaries of a political subdivision:if the alignment is practical and in the public interest;if each licensed provider that would be affected by the alignment agrees to the alignment; andtaking into consideration the requirements of:Section 11-48-103; andSection 53-2d-508.

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

53-2d-503 - Establishment of maximum rates.

(1) As used in this section:“Balance bill” means the practice of a health care provider billing an individual for the difference between the individual’s billed charges and the amount the individual’s health benefit plan allows for a covered service.”Balance bill” does not include billing:an uninsured individual for services provided;an individual for the difference of the amount allowed by a health benefit plan for a billed service and the amount paid by the health benefit plan for the billed service; andan individual for a service that was denied by the health benefit plan because the service was an uncovered service under the health benefit plan.”Base rate” means the rate a ground ambulance provider charges for:transporting an individual to a hospital or patient receiving facility;supplies used when transporting the individual;providing procedures during transport; andadministering medications during transport.”Base rate” does not include charges for:the cost of a medication; ormileage.”Medication maximum cost” means a cost for a medication that equals the lower of the:national average drug acquisition cost; andUtah maximum allowable cost established in the Utah Medicaid program.

(2) The bureau shall establish a maximum mileage rate for ground ambulance providers and paramedic providers that is just and reasonable.

(3) The committee may make recommendations to the bureau on the maximum mileage rate set under Subsection (2).

(4) Ground ambulance providers and paramedic providers may not charge fees for transporting a patient when the provider does not transport the patient.The provisions of Subsection (4)(a) do not apply to ambulance providers or paramedic providers in a geographic service area which contains a town as defined in Subsection 10-Ch10_2|10-2-301](f).

(5) The base rate is as follows:for emergency medical technician ground ambulance transport, $1, 234.92; f or a d v an ce d e m er g e n cy m e d i c a lt ec hni c ian g ro u n d amb u l an ce t r an s p or t,$ 1,630.31;for paramedic ground ambulance transport, $2, 383.73; an d s u bj ec tt o S u b sec t i o n [[T i tl e - 53/53 - C h 5 3_{2} d ∣ (5) (b)]], f or a t r an s p or t d escr ib e d in S u b sec t i o n [[T i tl e - 53/53 - C h 5 3_{2} d ∣ (5) (a) (i)]] or (ii) t ha t ha s a p a r am e d i co nb o a r d,$ 2,383.73.A ground ambulance provider may charge the rate described in Subsection 53-Ch53_2d|(5)(a)] if:a designated emergency medical service dispatch center dispatches a licensed paramedic provider to treat the individual;the licensed paramedic provider has initiated advanced life support;online medical control directs that a paramedic remain with the patient during transport; andthe licensed ground ambulance provider has a reimbursement for paramedic services agreement with a paramedic licensed provider for the service provided.

(6) For the mileage rate established in rule under this section, a ground ambulance provider or paramedic provider may not charge an amount greater than the amount authorized in the rule setting the mileage rate.For the base rate, a ground ambulance provider or paramedic provider may not charge an amount greater than the base rate described in Subsection (5)(a) for transportation services.For a medication, a ground ambulance provider or paramedic provider may not charge an amount greater than the medication maximum cost for a provided medication.

(7) A ground ambulance provider or paramedic provider may not balance bill.

(8) Subject to prioritization by the Legislative Audit Subcommittee, the Office of the Legislative Auditor General created in Section 36-12-15 shall conduct an audit of ground ambulance providers, paramedic providers, and insurance companies regarding rates and payments described in this section, Section 31A-22-627.1, and Section 34A-2-407.1.

Amended by Chapter 241, 2025 General Session

53-2d-504 - Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses — Application and department review.

(1) Except as provided in Section 53-2d-513, an applicant for a ground ambulance or paramedic license shall apply to the bureau for a license only by: submitting a completed application;providing information in the format required by the department; andpaying the required fees, including the cost of the hearing officer.

(2) The bureau shall make rules establishing minimum qualifications and requirements for: personnel;capital reserves;equipment;a business plan;operational procedures;medical direction agreements;management and control; andother matters that may be relevant to an applicant’s ability to provide ground ambulance or paramedic service.

(3) An application for a license to provide ground ambulance service or paramedic service shall be for all ground ambulance services or paramedic services arising within the geographic service area, except that an applicant may apply for a license for less than all ground ambulance services or all paramedic services arising within an exclusive geographic area if it can demonstrate how the remainder of that area will be served.

(4) A ground ambulance service licensee may apply to the bureau for a license to provide a higher level of service as defined by bureau rule if the application includes:a copy of the new treatment protocols for the higher level of service approved by the off-line medical director;an assessment of field performance by the applicant’s off-line director; andan updated plan of operation demonstrating the ability of the applicant to provide the higher level of service.If the bureau determines that the applicant has demonstrated the ability to provide the higher level of service in accordance with Subsection (4)(a), the bureau shall issue a revised license reflecting the higher level of service and the requirements of Section 26B-4-162 do not apply.A revised license issued under Subsection (4)(b):may only affect the level of service that the licensee may provide; andmay not affect any other terms, conditions, or limitations of the original license.

(5) Upon receiving a completed application and the required fees, the bureau shall review the application and determine whether the application meets the minimum qualifications and requirements for licensure.

(6) The bureau may deny an application if it finds that it contains any materially false or misleading information, is incomplete, or if the application demonstrates that the applicant fails to meet the minimum qualifications and requirements for licensure under Subsection (2).

(7) If the department denies an application, it shall notify the applicant in writing setting forth the grounds for the denial. A denial may be appealed under Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-505 - Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses.

53-2d-504 , the bureau shall issue a notice of the approved application to the applicant.

Amended by Chapter 341, 2025 General Session

53-2d-510 - Local approvals.

(1) Licensed ambulance providers and paramedic providers shall meet all local zoning and business licensing standards generally applicable to businesses operating within the jurisdiction.

(2) Publicly subsidized providers shall demonstrate approval of the taxing authority that will provide the subsidy.

(3) A publicly operated service shall demonstrate that the governing body has approved the provision of services to the entire exclusive geographic service area that is the subject of the license, including those areas that may lie outside the territorial or jurisdictional boundaries of the governing body.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-511 - Limitation on repetitive applications.

A person who has previously applied for a license under Sections 53-2d-506 through 53-2d-509 may not apply for a license for the same service that covers any exclusive geographic service area that was the subject of the prior application unless:

(1) one year has passed from the date of the issuance of a final decision under Section 53-2d-507; or

(2) all interested parties and the department agree that a new application is in the public interest.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-512 - License for air ambulance providers.

(1) An applicant for an air ambulance provider shall apply to the bureau for a license only by: submitting a complete application;providing information in the format required by the bureau; andpaying the required fees.

(2) The bureau may make rules establishing minimum qualifications and requirements for: personnel;capital reserves;equipment;business plan;operational procedures;resource hospital and medical direction agreements;management and control qualifications and requirements; andother matters that may be relevant to an applicant’s ability to provide air ambulance services.

(3) Upon receiving a completed application and the required fees, the bureau shall review the application and determine whether the application meets the minimum requirements for licensure.

(4) The bureau may deny an application for an air ambulance if: the bureau finds that the application contains any materially false or misleading information or is incomplete;the application demonstrates that the applicant fails to meet the minimum requirements for licensure; orthe bureau finds after inspection that the applicant does not meet the minimum requirements for licensure.

(5) If the bureau denies an application under this section, it shall notify the applicant in writing setting forth the grounds for the denial.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-513 - License renewals.

(1) A licensed provider desiring to renew its license shall meet the renewal requirements established by bureau rule.

(2) The bureau shall issue a renewal license for a ground ambulance provider or a paramedic provider upon the licensee’s application for a renewal and without a public hearing if: the applicant was licensed under the provisions of Sections 53-2d-506 through 53-2d-509; andthere has been:no change in controlling interest in the ownership of the licensee as defined in Section 53-2d-515;no serious, substantiated public complaints filed with the department against the licensee during the term of the previous license;no material or substantial change in the basis upon which the license was originally granted;no reasoned objection from the committee or the department; andno change to the license type.

(3) The provisions of this Subsection (3) apply to a provider licensed under the provisions of Sections 53-2d-505.1 and 53-2d-505.2.A provider may renew its license if the provisions of Subsections (1) and (2) and this Subsection (3) are met.The bureau shall issue a renewal license to a provider upon the provider’s application for renewal for one additional four-year term if the political subdivision certifies to the bureau that the provider has met all of the specifications of the original bid.If the political subdivision does not certify to the bureau that the provider has met all of the specifications of the original bid, the bureau may not issue a renewal license and the political subdivision shall enter into a public bid process under Sections 53-2d-505.1 and 53-2d-505.2.The bureau shall issue an additional renewal license to a provider who has already been issued a one-time renewal license under the provisions of Subsection (3)(b)(i) if the bureau and the political subdivision do not receive, prior to the expiration of the provider’s license, written notice from an approved applicant informing the political subdivision of the approved applicant’s desire to submit a bid for ambulance or paramedic service.If the bureau and the political subdivision receive the notice in accordance with Subsection (3)(c)(i), the bureau may not issue a renewal license and the political subdivision shall enter into a public bid process under Sections 53-2d-505.1 and 53-2d-505.2.

(4) The bureau shall issue a renewal license for an air ambulance provider upon the licensee’s application for renewal and completion of the renewal requirements established by bureau rule.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-514 - Annexations.

(1) A municipality shall comply with the provisions of this section if the municipality is licensed under this chapter and desires to provide service to an area that is:included in a petition for annexation under Title 10, Chapter 2, Part 8, Annexation; andcurrently serviced by another provider licensed under this chapter.

(2) At least 45 days prior to approving a petition for annexation, the municipality shall certify to the bureau that by the time of the approval of the annexation the municipality can meet or exceed the current level of service provided by the existing licensee for the annexed area by meeting the requirements of Subsections (2)(b)(ii)(A) through (D); andno later than three business days after the municipality files a petition for annexation in accordance with Section 10-2-806, provide written notice of the petition for annexation to:the existing licensee providing service to the area included in the petition of annexation; andthe bureau.After receiving a certification under Subsection (2)(a), but prior to the municipality approving a petition for annexation, the bureau may audit the municipality only to verify the requirements of Subsections (2)(b)(ii)(A) through (D).If the bureau elects to conduct an audit, the bureau shall make a finding that the municipality can meet or exceed the current level of service provided by the existing licensee for the annexed area if the bureau finds that the municipality has or will have by the time of the approval of the annexation:adequate trained personnel to deliver basic and advanced life support services;adequate apparatus and equipment to deliver emergency medical services;adequate funding for personnel and equipment; andappropriate medical controls, such as a medical director and base hospital.The bureau shall submit the results of the audit in writing to the municipal legislative body.

(3) If the bureau audit finds that the municipality meets the requirements of Subsection (2)(b)(ii), the bureau shall issue an amended license to the municipality and all other affected licensees to reflect the municipality’s new boundaries after the bureau receives notice of the approval of the petition for annexation from the municipality in accordance with Section 10-2-813.Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 63G-4-102(2)(k), if the bureau audit finds that the municipality fails to meet the requirements of Subsection (2)(b)(ii), the municipality may request an adjudicative proceeding under the provisions of Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act. The municipality may approve the petition for annexation while an adjudicative proceeding requested under this Subsection (3)(b)(i) is pending.The bureau shall conduct an adjudicative proceeding when requested under Subsection (3)(b)(i).Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 53-2d-504 through 53-2d-509, in any adjudicative proceeding held under the provisions of Subsection (3)(b)(i), the bureau bears the burden of establishing that the municipality cannot, by the time of the approval of the annexation, meet the requirements of Subsection (2)(b)(ii).If, at the time of the approval of the annexation, an adjudicative proceeding is pending under the provisions of Subsection (3)(b)(i), the bureau shall issue amended licenses if the municipality prevails in the adjudicative proceeding.

Amended by Chapter 399, 2025 General Session

53-2d-515 - Changes in ownership.

(1) A licensed provider whose ownership or controlling ownership interest has changed shall submit information to the bureau, as required by bureau rule: to establish whether the new owner or new controlling party meets minimum requirements for licensure; andexcept as provided in Subsection (2), to commence an administrative proceeding to determine whether the new owner meets the requirement of public convenience and necessity under Section 53-2d-508.

(2) An administrative proceeding is not required under Subsection (1)(b) if: the change in ownership interest is among existing owners of a closely held corporation and the change does not result in a change in the management of the licensee or in the name of the licensee;the change in ownership in a closely held corporation results in the introduction of new owners, provided that:the new owners are limited to individuals who would be entitled to the equity in the closely held corporation by the laws of intestate succession had the transferor died intestate at the time of the transfer;the majority owners on January 1, 1999, have been disclosed to the department by October 1, 1999, and the majority owners on January 1, 1999, retain a majority interest in the closely held corporation; andthe name of the licensed provider remains the same;the change in ownership is the result of one or more owners transferring their interests to a trust, limited liability company, partnership, or closely held corporation so long as the transferors retain control over the receiving entity;the change in ownership is the result of a distribution of an estate or a trust upon the death of the testator or the trustor and the recipients are limited to individuals who would be entitled to the interest by the laws of intestate succession had the transferor died intestate at the time of the transfer; orother similar changes that the department establishes, by rule, as having no significant impact on the cost, quality, or access to emergency medical services.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-516 - Overlapping licenses.

(1) As used in this section: “Overlap” means two ground ambulance interfacility transport providers that are licensed at the same level of service in all or part of a single geographic service area.”Overlay” means two ground ambulance interfacility transport providers that are licensed at a different level of service in all or part of a single geographic service area.

(2) Notwithstanding the exclusive geographic service requirement of Section 53-2d-502, the bureau shall recognize overlap and overlay ground ambulance interfacility transport licenses that existed on or before May 4, 2022.

(3) The bureau may, without an adjudicative proceeding but with at least 30 days notice to providers in the same geographic service area, amend an existing overlay ground ambulance interfacility transport license solely to convert an overlay into an overlap if the existing ground ambulance interfacility transport licensed provider meets the requirements described in Subsection 53-2d-504(4).

(4) An amendment of a license under this section may not alter: other terms of the original license, including the applicable geographic service area; orthe license of other providers that provide interfacility transport services in the geographic service area.

(5) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), any license for an overlap area terminates upon: relinquishment by the provider; orrevocation by the department.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-517 - Air ambulance requirements.

(1) A licensed air ambulance provider shall provide to all emergency medical dispatch centers the real-time location and availability of the air ambulance using statewide software that updates from a location transponder or computer-aided dispatch interface.

(2) An emergency medical dispatch center shall dispatch an air ambulance that the emergency medical dispatch center determines:is nearest to the location requiring emergency medical services;is readily available; andis the most appropriate air ambulance provider for the particular emergency circumstance based on the needs of the patient and the capabilities of the air ambulance provider.

(3) An air ambulance that is currently transporting a patient may not:be dispatched for a different emergency medical situation; ordeviate from the current emergency service and patient to respond to a different emergency medical dispatch communication.

Enacted by Chapter 452, 2025 General Session

Enforcement Provisions

53-2d-601 - Discrimination prohibited.

(1) No person licensed or designated pursuant to this chapter may discriminate in the provision of emergency medical services on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, or prior inquiry as to ability to pay.

(2) This chapter does not authorize or require medical assistance or transportation over the objection of an individual on religious grounds.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-602 - Illegal activity.

(1) Except as provided in Section 53-2d-408 or 53-2d-201, a person may not: practice or engage in the practice, represent that the person is practicing or engaging in the practice, or attempt to practice or engage in the practice of any activity that requires a license, certification, or designation under this chapter unless that person is licensed, certified, or designated under this chapter; oroffer an emergency medical service that requires a license, certification, or designation under this chapter unless the person is licensed, certified, or designated under this chapter.

(2) A person may not: advertise or represent that the person holds a license, certification, or designation required under this chapter, unless that person holds the license, certification, or designation under this chapter;employ or permit any employee to perform any service for which a license or certification is required by this chapter, unless the person performing the service possesses the required license or certification under this chapter;display, sell, reproduce, or otherwise use any Utah Emergency Medical Services insignia without authorization from the bureau;reproduce or otherwise use materials developed by the department for licensure or certification testing or examination without authorization from the bureau; orwillfully summon an ambulance or emergency response vehicle or report that one is needed when the person knows that the ambulance or emergency response vehicle is not needed.

(3) A violation of Subsection (1) or (2) is a class B misdemeanor.

Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session, (Coordination Clause)

53-2d-602.1 - Prohibition on the use of “911”.

.1(1) As used in this section: “Emergency services” means services provided by a person in response to an emergency.”Emergency services” includes:fire protection services;paramedic services;law enforcement services;911 ambulance or paramedic services; andany other emergency services.

.1(2) A person may not use “911” or other similar sequence of numbers in the person’s name with the purpose to deceive the public that the person operates or represents emergency services, unless the person is authorized to provide emergency services.

.1(3) A violation of Subsection (2) is: a class C misdemeanor; andsubject to a fine of up to $500 per violation.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-603 - Discipline of emergency medical services personnel.

(1) The bureau may refuse to issue a license or renewal, or revoke, suspend, restrict, or place on probation an individual’s license or endorsement if:the individual does not meet the qualifications for licensure under Section 53-2d-402;the individual has engaged in conduct that:is unprofessional;is adverse to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare; orwould adversely affect public trust in the emergency medical service system;the individual has violated Section 53-2d-602 or other provision of this chapter;the individual has violated Section 58-1-509;a court of competent jurisdiction has determined the individual to be mentally incompetent for any reason; orthe individual is unable to provide emergency medical services with reasonable skill and safety because of illness, drunkenness, use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type of material, or as a result of any other mental or physical condition, when the individual’s condition demonstrates a clear and unjustifiable threat or potential threat to oneself, coworkers, or the public health, safety, or welfare that cannot be reasonably mitigated.

(2) An action to revoke, suspend, restrict, or place a license on probation shall be done in:consultation with the peer review board created in Section 53-2d-103; andaccordance with Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), the bureau may issue a cease and desist order under Section 53-2d-607 to immediately suspend an individual’s license pending an administrative proceeding to be held within 30 days if there is evidence to show that the individual poses a clear, immediate, and unjustifiable threat or potential threat to the public health, safety, or welfare.

(3) An individual whose license has been suspended, revoked, or restricted may apply for reinstatement of the license at reasonable intervals and upon compliance with any conditions imposed upon the license by statute, rule, or the terms of the suspension, revocation, or restriction.

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

53-2d-604 - Discipline of designated and licensed providers, and training centers — Penalties.

(1) The bureau may, with respect to emergency medical service providers, as defined in Section 53-2d-101, excluding emergency medical service personnel:impose a fine; orrefuse to issue a license or designation or a renewal, or revoke, suspend, restrict, or place on probation, a training center, or any emergency medical service provider’s license or designation, including the license or designation of a non-911 service provider, if the training center or provider has:failed to abide by terms of the license or designation;violated statute or rule;failed to provide services at the level or in the exclusive geographic service area required by the license or designation;failed to submit a renewal application in a timely fashion as required by bureau rule;failed to follow operational standards established by the bureau; orcommitted an act in the performance of a professional duty that endangered the public or constituted gross negligence.

(2) Except as provided in this chapter, an administrative action to impose a fine or penalty, or to revoke, suspend, restrict, or place a license or designation on probation, shall be done in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.Notwithstanding Subsection (2)(a), the bureau may issue a cease and desist order under Section 53-2d-607 to immediately suspend a license or designation pending an administrative proceeding to be held within 30 days if there is evidence to show that the provider or facility poses a clear, immediate, and unjustifiable threat or potential threat to the public health, safety, or welfare.

(3) The bureau shall:consider the recommended schedule of potential fines received under Subsection 53-2d-105(2) from the Trauma System and Emergency Medical Services Committee; andby rule on or before August 31 of each year, adopt and publish a schedule setting forth the range of potential fines that the bureau may impose for each type of violation for the annual period beginning September 1 of the current year and ending August 31 of the following year.In determining the appropriate fine from the published range of potential fines the bureau may impose for a violation, the bureau shall consider any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances.The bureau shall deposit any fines collected under this section into the Emergency Medical Services Critical Needs Account created under Section 53-2d-110.

Amended by Chapter 260, 2025 General Session

53-2d-605 - Service interruption or cessation — Receivership — Default coverage — Notice.

(1) Acting in the public interest, the department may petition a court with jurisdiction under Title 78A, Judiciary and Judicial Administration, to appoint the bureau or an independent receiver to continue the operations of a provider upon any one of the following conditions:the provider ceases or intends to cease operations;the provider becomes insolvent;the bureau has initiated proceedings to revoke the provider’s license and has determined that the lives, health, safety, or welfare of the population served within the provider’s exclusive geographic service area are endangered because of the provider’s action or inaction pending a full hearing on the license revocation; orthe bureau has revoked the provider’s license and has been unable to adequately arrange for another provider to take over the provider’s exclusive geographic service area.Notwithstanding Title 78B, Chapter 3a, Venue for Civil Actions, if the department brings a petition described in Subsection (1)(a) in the district court, the department shall bring the petition in:Salt Lake County; orthe county in which the ambulance or paramedic provider operates.

(2) If a licensed or designated provider ceases operations or is otherwise unable to provide services, the bureau may arrange for another licensed provider to provide services on a temporary basis until a license is issued.

(3) A licensed provider shall give the department 30 days’ notice of its intent to cease operations.

Amended by Chapter 158, 2024 General Session

53-2d-606 - Investigations for enforcement of chapter.

(1) The bureau may, for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the provisions of this chapter, enter and inspect on a routine basis the business premises and equipment of a person: with a designation, permit, or license; orwho holds himself out to the general public as providing a service for which a designation, permit, or license is required under Section 53-2d-401.

(2) Before conducting an inspection under Subsection (1), the bureau shall, after identifying the person in charge: give proper identification;describe the nature and purpose of the inspection; andif necessary, explain the authority of the department to conduct the inspection.

(3) In conducting an inspection under Subsection (1), the bureau may, after meeting the requirements of Subsection (2): inspect records, equipment, and vehicles; andinterview personnel.

(4) An inspection conducted under Subsection (1) shall be during regular operational hours.

Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session, (Coordination Clause)

53-2d-606.5 - Investigative authority of the bureau — Subpoenas — Criminal penalty.

.5(1) In connection with conducting a formal investigation or any matters pending before the peer review board, the bureau may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, take evidence, and require by subpoena duces tecum the production of relevant papers, records, or other documents or information.

.5(2) A person who willfully disobeys a valid subpoena issued by the bureau is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

Enacted by Chapter 341, 2025 General Session

53-2d-607 - Cease and desist letters — Criminal penalty.

(1) The bureau may issue a cease and desist order to any person who:may be disciplined under Section 53-2d-603 or 53-2d-604; orotherwise violates this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter.

(2) An individual who willfully disobeys a valid cease and desist letter issued by the bureau is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

Amended by Chapter 340, 2025 General Session

Miscellaneous

53-2d-701 - Persons and activities exempt from civil liability.

(1) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or licensed registered nurse who, gratuitously and in good faith, gives oral or written instructions to any of the following is not liable for any civil damages as a result of issuing the instructions:an individual licensed or certified under Section 53-2d-402;an individual who uses a fully automated external defibrillator; oran individual who administers CPR.The liability protection described in Subsection (1)(a) does not apply if the instructions given were the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(2) An individual licensed or certified under Section 53-2d-402, during either training or after licensure or certification, a licensed physician, a physician assistant, or a registered nurse who, gratuitously and in good faith, provides emergency medical instructions or renders emergency medical care authorized by this chapter is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission in providing the emergency medical instructions or medical care, unless the act or omission is the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(3) An individual licensed or certified under Section 53-2d-402 is not subject to civil liability for failure to obtain consent in rendering emergency medical services authorized by this chapter to any individual who is unable to give his consent, regardless of the individual’s age, where there is no other person present legally authorized to consent to emergency medical care, provided that the licensed individual acted in good faith.

(4) A principal, agent, contractor, employee, or representative of an agency, organization, institution, corporation, or entity of state or local government that sponsors, authorizes, supports, finances, or supervises any functions of an individual licensed or certified under Section 53-2d-402 is not liable for any civil damages for any act or omission in connection with the sponsorship, authorization, support, finance, or supervision of the licensed or certified individual where the act or omission occurs in connection with the licensed or certified individual’s training or occurs outside a hospital where the life of a patient is in immediate danger, unless the act or omission is inconsistent with the training of the licensed or certified individual, and unless the act or omission is the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(5) A physician or physician assistant who gratuitously and in good faith arranges for, requests, recommends, or initiates the transfer of a patient from a hospital to a critical care unit in another hospital is not liable for any civil damages as a result of such transfer where: sound medical judgment indicates that the patient’s medical condition is beyond the care capability of the transferring hospital or the medical community in which that hospital is located; andthe physician or physician assistant has secured an agreement from the receiving facility to accept and render necessary treatment to the patient.

(6) An individual who is a registered member of the National Ski Patrol System or a member of a ski patrol who has completed a course in winter emergency care offered by the National Ski Patrol System combined with CPR for medical technicians offered by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association, or an equivalent course of instruction, and who in good faith renders emergency care in the course of ski patrol duties is not liable for civil damages as a result of any act or omission in rendering the emergency care, unless the act or omission is the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(7) An emergency medical service provider who, in good faith, transports an individual against his will but at the direction of a law enforcement officer pursuant to Section 26B-5-331 is not liable for civil damages for transporting the individual.

Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session, (Coordination Clause)

53-2d-702 - Notification of air ambulance policies and charges.

(1) For any patient who is in need of air medical transport provider services, an emergency medical service provider shall:provide the patient or the patient’s representative with the following information before contacting an air medical transport provider:which health insurers in the state the air medical transport provider contracts with;if sufficient data is available, the average charge for air medical transport services for a patient who is uninsured or out of network; andwhether the air medical transport provider balance bills a patient for any charge not paid by the patient’s health insurer; andif multiple air medical transport providers are capable of providing the patient with services, provide the patient or the patient’s representative an opportunity to choose the air medical transport provider.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the patient:is unconscious and the patient’s representative is not physically present with the patient; oris unable, due to a medical condition, to make an informed decision about the choice of an air medical transport provider, and the patient’s representative is not physically present with the patient.

Amended by Chapter 5, 2024 Special Session 3

53-2d-703 - Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Insurance Program — Creation — Administration — Eligibility — Benefits — Rulemaking — Advisory board.

(1) As used in this section:“Basic life insurance benefit” means the standard group life insurance benefit offered by PEHP that combines basic life, line-of-duty, accidental death and disability, and dependent coverage into one benefit package.”Basic long-term disability benefit” means a $1,000 monthly benefit arising from a disability determined in accordance with Title 49, Chapter 21, Public Employees’ Long-Term Disability Act, and excluding any coverage offered on a pilot basis.”Dental plan” means the same as that term is defined in Section 31A-22-646.”Health benefit plan” means the same as that term is defined in Section 31A-1-301.”Local government entity” means a political subdivision that:is licensed as a ground ambulance provider under Part 5, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers or a quick response provider as designated under 53-2d-403; anddoes not offer health insurance benefits to volunteer emergency medical service personnel.”PEHP” means the Public Employees’ Benefit and Insurance Program created in Section 49-20-103.”Political subdivision” means a county, a municipality, a limited purpose government entity described in Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Special Districts, or Title 17D, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Other Entities, or an entity created by an interlocal agreement under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act.”Qualifying association” means an association that represents two or more political subdivisions in the state.”Qualifying community” means any of the following located in a county of the second class:a city of the fifth class; ora town.

(2) The Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Insurance Program shall promote recruitment and retention of volunteer emergency medical service personnel by making insurance available to volunteer emergency medical service personnel in accordance with this section.

(3) The bureau shall contract with a qualifying association to create, implement, and administer the Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Insurance Program described in this section.The qualifying association will create promotional campaigns for the Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Insurance Program and volunteer emergency medical service recruitment and retention including outreach to local government entities through social media, video production, and other media platforms.

(4) Participation in the program is limited to any individual who:is licensed under Section 53-2d-402 as an emergency medical technician, an advanced emergency medical technician, or a paramedic;is able to perform all necessary functions associated with the license;provides emergency medical services under the direction of a local governmental entity:by responding to 20% of calls for emergency medical services in a rolling twelve-month period; andwithin a qualifying community or a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class by responding to the number of calls described in Subsection (4)(c)(i); andas a volunteer under the Fair Labor Standards Act, in accordance with 29 C.F.R. Sec. 553.106; oras a part-time unbenefited employee, as classified by the employing local government entity;if seeking health insurance:is not eligible for a health benefit plan through an employer or a spouse’s employer; andis not eligible for medical coverage under a government sponsored healthcare program; orthe individual’s premium cost for individual, double, or family coverage through another source exceeds 20% or greater of the premium cost of the program created by this section;if seeking dental insurance:is not eligible for a dental plan through an employer or a spouse’s employer; andis not eligible for dental coverage under a government sponsored healthcare program; orthe individual’s premium cost for individual, double, or family coverage exceeds 20% or greater of the premium cost of the program created by this section; andresides in the state.

(5) A participant in the program is eligible to participate in PEHP in accordance with Subsection (5)(b) and Subsection 49-Ch49_20|49-20-201].Health and dental benefits available to program participants under PEHP are limited to health insurance and dental insurance that:covers the program participant and the program participant’s eligible dependents on a July 1 plan year;accepts enrollment during an open enrollment period or for a special enrollment event, including the initial eligibility of a program participant;if the program participant is no longer eligible for benefits, terminates on the last day of the last month for which the individual is a participant in the Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Insurance Program; andis not subject to continuation rights under state or federal law.Within existing appropriations, the Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Insurance Program may offer basic life insurance and long-term disability insurance to participants to enhance recruitment and retention efforts.

(6) The bureau may make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to define additional criteria regarding benefit design, eligibility for the program, and to implement this section.The bureau shall convene an advisory board:to advise the bureau on making rules under Subsection (6)(a); andthat includes representation from at least the following entities:the qualifying association that receives the contract under Subsection (3); andPEHP.

(7) For purposes of this section, the qualifying association that receives the contract under Subsection (3) shall be considered the public agency for whom the program participant is volunteering under 29 C.F.R. Sec. 553.101.

Amended by Chapter 240, 2025 General Session

Utah Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival Act

53-2d-801 - Authority to administer CPR or use an AED.

A person may:

(1) administer CPR on another individual without a license, certificate, or other governmental authorization if the person reasonably believes that the individual is in sudden cardiac arrest; or

(2) use an AED on another individual without a license, certificate, or other governmental authorization if the person reasonably believes that the individual is in sudden cardiac arrest.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-802 - Immunity.

(1) Except as provided in Subsection (3), the following persons are not subject to civil liability for any act or omission relating to preparing to care for, responding to care for, or providing care to, another individual who reasonably appears to be in sudden cardiac arrest: a person authorized, under Section 53-2d-801, to administer CPR, who:gratuitously and in good faith attempts to administer or administers CPR to another person; orfails to administer CPR to another person;a person authorized, under Section 53-2d-801, to use an AED who:gratuitously and in good faith attempts to use or uses an AED; orfails to use an AED;a person that teaches or provides a training course in administering CPR or using an AED;a person that acquires an AED;a person that owns, manages, or is otherwise responsible for the premises or conveyance where an AED is located;a person who retrieves an AED in response to a perceived or potential sudden cardiac arrest;a person that authorizes, directs, or supervises the installation or provision of an AED;a person involved with, or responsible for, the design, management, or operation of a CPR or AED program;a person involved with, or responsible for, reporting, receiving, recording, updating, giving, or distributing information relating to the ownership or location of an AED under Section 53-2d-803; ora physician who gratuitously and in good faith:provides medical oversight for a public AED program; orissues a prescription for a person to acquire or use an AED.

(2) This section does not relieve a manufacturer, designer, developer, marketer, or commercial distributor of an AED, or an accessory for an AED, of any liability.

(3) The liability protection described in Subsection (1) does not apply to an act or omission that constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-803 - Reporting location of automatic external defibrillators.

(1) In accordance with Subsection (2) and except as provided in Subsection (3): a person who owns or leases an AED shall report the person’s name, address, and telephone number, and the exact location of the AED, in writing or by a web-based AED registration form, if available, to the emergency medical dispatch center that provides emergency dispatch services for the location where the AED is installed, if the person:installs the AED;causes the AED to be installed; orallows the AED to be installed; anda person who owns or leases an AED that is removed from a location where it is installed shall report the person’s name, address, and telephone number, and the exact location from which the AED is removed, in writing or by a web-based AED registration form, if available, to the emergency medical dispatch center that provides emergency dispatch services for the location from which the AED is removed, if the person:removes the AED;causes the AED to be removed; orallows the AED to be removed.

(2) A report required under Subsection (1) shall be made within 14 days after the day on which the AED is installed or removed.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to an AED: at a private residence; orin a vehicle or other mobile or temporary location.

(4) A person who owns or leases an AED that is installed in, or removed from, a private residence may voluntarily report the location of, or removal of, the AED to the emergency medical dispatch center that provides emergency dispatch services for the location where the private residence is located.

(5) The department may not impose a penalty on a person for failing to comply with the requirements of this section.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-804 - Distributors to notify of reporting requirements.

A person in the business of selling or leasing an AED shall, at the time the person provides, sells, or leases an AED to another person, notify the other person, in writing, of the reporting requirements described in Section 53-2d-803 .

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-805 - Duties of emergency medical dispatch centers.

An emergency medical dispatch center shall:

(1) implement a system to receive and manage the information reported to the emergency medical dispatch center under Section 53-2d-803;

(2) record in the system described in Subsection (1), all information received under Section 53-2d-803 within 14 days after the day on which the information is received;

(3) inform an individual who calls to report a potential incident of sudden cardiac arrest of the location of an AED located at the address of the potential sudden cardiac arrest;

(4) provide verbal instructions to an individual described in Subsection (3) to:help the individual determine if a patient is in cardiac arrest; andif needed:provide direction to start CPR;offer instructions on how to perform CPR; oroffer instructions on how to use an AED, if one is available; and

(5) provide the information contained in the system described in Subsection (1), upon request, to the bureau.

Amended by Chapter 147, 2024 General Session

53-2d-806 - Education and training.

(1) The office shall work in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies and schools, to encourage individuals to complete courses on the administration of CPR and the use of an AED.

(2) A person who owns or leases an AED shall encourage each individual who is likely to use the AED to complete courses on the administration of CPR and the use of an AED.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-807 - AEDs for demonstration purposes.

(1) Any AED used solely for demonstration or training purposes, which is not operational for emergency use is, except for the provisions of this section, exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

(2) The owner of an AED described in Subsection (1) shall clearly mark on the exterior of the AED that the AED is for demonstration or training use only.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

53-2d-808 - Tampering with an AED prohibited — Penalties.

A person is guilty of a class C misdemeanor if the person removes, tampers with, or otherwise disturbs an AED, AED cabinet or enclosure, or AED sign, unless:

(1) the person is authorized by the AED owner for the purpose of: inspecting the AED or AED cabinet or enclosure; orperforming maintenance or repairs on the AED, the AED cabinet or enclosure, a wall or structure that the AED cabinet or enclosure is directly attached to, or an AED sign;

(2) the person is responding to, or providing care to, a potential sudden cardiac arrest patient; or

(3) the person acts in good faith with the intent to support, and not to violate, the recognized purposes of the AED.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 307, 2023 General Session

Statewide Stroke and Cardiac Registries

53-2d-901 - Statewide stroke registry.

(1) The bureau shall establish and supervise a statewide stroke registry to: analyze information on the incidence, severity, causes, outcomes, and rehabilitation of stroke;promote optimal care for stroke patients;alleviate unnecessary death and disability from stroke;encourage the efficient and effective continuum of patient care, including prevention, prehospital care, hospital care, and rehabilitative care; andminimize the overall cost of stroke.

(2) The bureau shall utilize the registry established under Subsection (1) to assess: the effectiveness of the data collected by the registry; andthe impact of the statewide stroke registry on the provision of stroke care.

(3) The bureau shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to establish:the data elements that general acute hospitals shall report to the registry; andthe time frame and format for reporting.The data elements described in Subsection (3)(a)(i) shall include consensus metrics consistent with data elements used in nationally recognized data set platforms for stroke care.The department shall permit a general acute hospital to submit data required under this section through an electronic exchange of clinical health information that meets the standards established by the department under Section 26B-8-411.

(4) A general acute hospital shall submit stroke data in accordance with rules established under Subsection (3).

(5) Data collected under this section shall be subject to Title 26B, Chapter 8, Part 4, Health Statistics.

(6) No person may be held civilly liable for providing data to the department in accordance with this section.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 308, 2023 General Session

53-2d-902 - Statewide cardiac registry.

(1) The bureau shall establish and supervise a statewide cardiac registry to: analyze information on the incidence, severity, causes, outcomes, and rehabilitation of cardiac diseases;promote optimal care for cardiac patients;alleviate unnecessary death and disability from cardiac diseases;encourage the efficient and effective continuum of patient care, including prevention, prehospital care, hospital care, and rehabilitative care; andminimize the overall cost of cardiac care.

(3) The bureau shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to establish:the data elements that general acute hospitals shall report to the registry; andthe time frame and format for reporting.The data elements described in Subsection (3)(a)(i) shall include consensus metrics consistent with data elements used in nationally recognized data set platforms for cardiac care.The bureau shall permit a general acute hospital to submit data required under this section through an electronic exchange of clinical health information that meets the standards established by the department under Section 26B-8-411.

(4) A general acute hospital shall submit cardiac data in accordance with rules established under Subsection (3).

(5) Data collected under this section shall be subject to Title 26B, Chapter 8, Part 4, Health Statistics.

(6) No person may be held civilly liable for providing data to the bureau in accordance with this section.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 308, 2023 General Session

Utah • Lex Graph

Explorer

53-2d - Emergency Medical Services Act

53-2d - Emergency Medical Services Act

Sections (69)

General Provisions

53-2d-101 - Definitions.

53-2d-102 - Bureau of Emergency Medical Services — Creation — Bureau chief appointment, qualifications, and compensation.

53-2d-103 - Bureau duties — Data sharing.

53-2d-104 - Trauma System and Emergency Medical Services Committee — Membership — Expenses.

53-2d-105 - Committee advisory duties.

53-2d-108 - Emergency Medical Services System Account.

53-2d-109 - Emergency Medical Services Critical Needs Account.

53-2d-110 - Emergency Medical Services Critical Needs Account.

Programs, Plans, and Duties

53-2d-201 - Public awareness efforts.

53-2d-202 - Emergency medical communications.

53-2d-203 - Data collection.

53-2d-204 - Disaster coordination plan.

53-2d-205 - Pediatric quality improvement program.

53-2d-206 - Personnel critical incident stress management program.

53-2d-207 - Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.

53-2d-208 - Fees for training equipment rental, testing, and quality assurance reviews.

53-2d-209 - Regional Emergency Medical Services Liaisons — Qualifications — Duties.

53-2d-210 - Emergency medical service employees providing medical services in non-911 emergency settings.

53-2d-211 - Community paramedicine program.

Statewide Trauma System

53-2d-301 - Establishment of statewide trauma system.

53-2d-303 - Department duties.

53-2d-304 - Statewide trauma registry and quality assurance program.

53-2d-305 - Trauma center designations and guidelines.

Certificates, Designations, Permits, and Licenses

53-2d-401 - General requirement.

53-2d-402 - Licensure of emergency medical service personnel.

53-2d-403 - Designation of emergency medical service providers, training centers, and nonemergency secured behavioral health transport providers.

53-2d-404 - Permits for emergency medical service vehicles and nonemergency secured behavioral health transport vehicles.

53-2d-405 - Ambulance license required for emergency medical transport.

53-2d-406 - Medical control.

53-2d-407 - Patient destination.

53-2d-408 - Exemptions.

53-2d-409 - Out-of-state vehicles.

53-2d-410 - Background clearance for emergency medical service personnel.

53-2d-410.5 - Background check requirements for emergency medical dispatchers.

Ambulance and Paramedic Providers

53-2d-501 - State regulation of emergency medical services market — License term.

53-2d-502 - Exclusive geographic service areas.

53-2d-503 - Establishment of maximum rates.

53-2d-504 - Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses — Application and department review.

53-2d-505 - Ground ambulance and paramedic licenses.

53-2d-510 - Local approvals.

53-2d-511 - Limitation on repetitive applications.

53-2d-512 - License for air ambulance providers.

53-2d-513 - License renewals.

53-2d-514 - Annexations.

53-2d-515 - Changes in ownership.

53-2d-516 - Overlapping licenses.

53-2d-517 - Air ambulance requirements.

Enforcement Provisions

53-2d-601 - Discrimination prohibited.

53-2d-602 - Illegal activity.

53-2d-602.1 - Prohibition on the use of “911”.

53-2d-603 - Discipline of emergency medical services personnel.

53-2d-604 - Discipline of designated and licensed providers, and training centers — Penalties.

53-2d-605 - Service interruption or cessation — Receivership — Default coverage — Notice.

53-2d-606 - Investigations for enforcement of chapter.

53-2d-606.5 - Investigative authority of the bureau — Subpoenas — Criminal penalty.

53-2d-607 - Cease and desist letters — Criminal penalty.

Miscellaneous

53-2d-701 - Persons and activities exempt from civil liability.

53-2d-702 - Notification of air ambulance policies and charges.

53-2d-703 - Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Personnel Insurance Program — Creation — Administration — Eligibility — Benefits — Rulemaking — Advisory board.

Utah Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival Act

53-2d-801 - Authority to administer CPR or use an AED.

53-2d-802 - Immunity.

53-2d-803 - Reporting location of automatic external defibrillators.

53-2d-804 - Distributors to notify of reporting requirements.

53-2d-805 - Duties of emergency medical dispatch centers.

53-2d-806 - Education and training.

53-2d-807 - AEDs for demonstration purposes.

53-2d-808 - Tampering with an AED prohibited — Penalties.