This division shall be known and may be cited as the Emergency Medical Services System and the Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act.
Chapter 1General Provisions
Section § 1797
This section is naming the law, which is known as the Emergency Medical Services System and the Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act.
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Section § 1797.1
This law aims to create a statewide system for managing emergency medical services in California. It establishes the Emergency Medical Services Authority within the Health and Welfare Agency to coordinate and oversee all state activities related to emergency medical services. The goal is to ensure a unified approach throughout the state.
The Legislature finds and declares that it is the intent of this act to provide the state with a statewide system for emergency medical services by establishing within the Health and Welfare Agency the Emergency Medical Services Authority, which is responsible for the coordination and integration of all state activities concerning emergency medical services.
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Section § 1797.11
This law allows Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and similar emergency service providers from other states or territories to work at events related to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in California without needing local licensure. To be authorized, these providers must be approved by the chief medical officer (CMO), who ensures that public safety standards and necessary qualifications are met.
The CMO will oversee medical operations and ensure that these professionals operate within a scope comparable to California’s EMT standards. Authorized EMS providers are protected from liability for their good-faith actions, though they're not shielded from misconduct or negligence. Approval lasts from May 15 to September 15, 2028, unless revoked sooner.
(a)Copy CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(a)
(1)Copy CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(a)(1) Notwithstanding any other law, the licensure, certification, or accreditation requirements of this division shall not apply to any Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-I), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-II), or Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P), or similar emergency medical services (EMS) provider licensed or certified as an EMT-I, EMT-II, EMT-P, or similar EMS provider in another state or territory of the United States, who provides EMS for which they are licensed, if they are authorized by the chief medical officer pursuant to subdivision (b) to provide EMS at sites in this state sanctioned by the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and associated with the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(a)(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “similar EMS provider” means an EMS provider that meets both of the following requirements:
(A)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(a)(2)(A) Licensed or certified in a state or territory of the United States that uses a license categorization that differs from this state.
(B)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(a)(2)(B) Licensed or certified to provide services similar to those provided by an EMT-I, EMT-II, or EMT-P licensed or certified in this state.
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(b) The chief medical officer (CMO) shall do both of the following:
(1)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(b)(1) Authorize EMS personnel under this section, based on system needs and informed by committee needs, qualifications of the emergency medical services personnel, and public safety considerations.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(b)(2) Be medical control for any EMS personnel who are authorized under paragraph (1) of this subdivision.
(c)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(c) To be authorized by the CMO under this section, and before being deployed by the CMO, EMS personnel shall provide the CMO a valid copy of a professional license or certification and photograph identification issued by the state or territory in which the EMS personnel holds a license or certification.
(d)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(d) Emergency medical services providers authorized by the CMO to provide health care pursuant to this section shall not be liable on account of any act or omission taken in good faith while engaged in the provision of services authorized pursuant to this section. As used in this subdivision, “good faith” shall not include willful misconduct, gross negligence, or recklessness.
(e)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(e) Emergency medical services providers authorized by the CMO to provide health care pursuant to this section shall be authorized to perform the California basic scope of practice for an EMT-I, EMT-II, and EMT-P, as defined in Title 22 of Division 9 of the California Code of Regulations, if the provider has successfully completed the training to perform these skills and they are within the scope of practice for the state in which they are licensed or certified.
(f)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(f) Sites that may be sanctioned by the committee include competition, noncompetition, athlete village, training, or support sites in this state.
(g)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(g) Authorization under this section shall be valid from May 15, 2028, to September 15, 2028, inclusive, or until authorization is otherwise withdrawn by the CMO.
(h)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(h) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(h)(1) “Chief medical officer” or “CMO” means the chief medical officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.11(h)(2) “Committee” means the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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Section § 1797.2
The goal of this law is to support and expand paramedic programs for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with advanced skills, called EMT-P, across California. However, in areas where setting up such programs isn't practical due to factors like location, population, or resources, the law encourages starting EMT-II programs, which offer a limited set of advanced life-saving services.
It is the intent of the Legislature to maintain and promote the development of EMT-P paramedic programs where appropriate throughout the state and to initiate EMT-II limited advanced life support programs only where geography, population density, and resources would not make the establishment of a paramedic program feasible.
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Section § 1797.3
This law section allows local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies in California to create their own additional training standards for EMT-II and EMT-P personnel, as long as these standards are consistent with the state's existing EMT training standards.
The provisions of this division do not preclude the adoption of additional training standards for EMT-II and EMT-P personnel by local EMS agencies, consistent with standards adopted pursuant to Sections 1797.171, 1797.172, and 1797.214.
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Section § 1797.4
This law section clarifies that any old laws that refer to 'mobile intensive care paramedics' now relate to people certified as EMT-I, EMT-II, or EMT-P. Similarly, any past references to 'mobile intensive care nurses' now refer to those authorized as MICNs.
Any reference in any provision of law to mobile intensive care paramedics subject to former Article 3 (commencing with Section 1480) of Chapter 2.5 of Division 2 shall be deemed to be a reference to persons holding valid certificates under this division as an EMT-I, EMT-II, or EMT-P. Any reference in any provision of law to mobile intensive care nurses subject to former Article 3 (commencing with Section 1480) of Chapter 2.5 of Division 2 shall be deemed to be a reference to persons holding valid authorization under this division as an MICN.
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Section § 1797.5
This law aims to ensure that emergency medical services are available and accessible to everyone in California.
It encourages the public to get involved and trained in helping during medical emergencies, especially in providing CPR and first aid. Local governments and organizations are urged to offer training to prepare and motivate people to assist in emergencies.
It is the intent of the Legislature to promote the development, accessibility, and provision of emergency medical services to the people of the State of California.
Further, it is the policy of the State of California that people shall be encouraged and trained to assist others at the scene of a medical emergency. Local governments, agencies, and other organizations shall be encouraged to offer training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and lifesaving first aid techniques so that people may be adequately trained, prepared, and encouraged to assist others immediately.
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Section § 1797.6
The State of California wants to make sure that everyone gets good emergency medical care. However, a Supreme Court decision created some confusion for local governments about whether they could be held liable under federal antitrust laws.
This law aims to clarify that by providing specific guidance and oversight, California will protect these local government actions from certain federal lawsuits, helping them do their jobs without fear of breaking federal rules.
(a)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.6(a)
It is the policy of the State of California to ensure the provision of effective and efficient emergency medical care. The Legislature finds and declares that achieving this policy has been hindered by the confusion and concern in the 58 counties resulting from the United States Supreme Court’s holding in Community Communications Company, Inc. v. City of Boulder, Colorado, 455 U.S. 40, 70 L. Ed. 2d 810, 102 S. Ct. 835, regarding local governmental liability under federal antitrust laws.
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.6(b)
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section and Sections 1797.85 and 1797.224 to prescribe and exercise the degree of state direction and supervision over emergency medical services as will provide for state action immunity under federal antitrust laws for activities undertaken by local governmental entities in carrying out their prescribed functions under this division.
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Section § 1797.7
This law is about ensuring that EMT-Ps (Paramedics) certified in one local EMS area in California can work across different regions without needing to retest or recertify for the same basic skills. However, they must still get oriented and trained for any additional local skills or procedures required by the new area's EMS agency. The goal is to provide continuity and flexibility for EMT-Ps while allowing local EMS agencies to retain control over medical practices.
Local EMS can request orientation and require competency in unique skills, but must provide or arrange this training within 30 days. Importantly, this does not stop EMS agencies from managing medical protocols effectively in their areas.
(a)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.7(a)
The Legislature finds and declares that the ability of some prehospital emergency medical care personnel to move from the jurisdiction of one local EMS agency which issued certification and authorization to the jurisdiction of another local EMS agency which utilizes the same level of emergency medical care personnel will be unreasonably hindered if those personnel are required to be retested and recertified by each local EMS agency.
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.7(b)
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section and Section 1797.185 to ensure that EMT-P personnel who have met state competency standards for their basic scope of practice, as defined in Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 100135) of Division 9 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, and are currently certified are recognized statewide without having to repeat testing or certification for that same basic scope of practice.
(c)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.7(c)
It is the intent of the Legislature that local EMS agencies may require prehospital emergency medical care personnel who were certified in another jurisdiction to be oriented to the local EMS system and receive training and demonstrate competency in any optional skills for which they have not received accreditation. It is also the intent of the Legislature that no individual who possesses a valid California EMT-P certificate shall be prevented from beginning working within the standard statewide scope of practice of an EMT-P if he or she is accompanied by a EMT-P who is currently certified in California and is accredited by the local EMS agency. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the local EMS agency provide, or arrange for the provision of, training and accreditation testing in local EMS operational policies and procedures and any optional skills utilized in the local EMS system within 30 days of application for accreditation as an EMT-P by the local EMS agency.
(d)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.7(d)
It is the intent of the Legislature that subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) not be construed to hinder the ability of local EMS agencies to maintain medical control within their EMS system in accordance with the requirements of this division.
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Section § 1797.8
This law allows counties in California to set up programs for training and certifying Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT-I) to administer naloxone, an opioid overdose treatment, using methods other than intravenous injection.
To do this, counties must follow guidelines set by the state Emergency Medical Services Authority.
Before an EMT-I can be certified to give naloxone, they must complete a training and pass a test approved by the local medical services director. This will remain in effect until new regulations allow EMT-I to get higher-level EMT-II training for administering naloxone without completing the full EMT-II course.
(a)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.8(a)
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.8(a)(1)
“EMT-I” means any person who has training and a valid certificate as prescribed by Section 1797.80.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.8(a)(2)
“EMT certifying authority” means the medical director of the local emergency medical services agency.
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.8(b)
Any county may, at the discretion of the county or regional medical director of emergency medical services, develop a program to certify an EMT-I to administer naloxone hydrochloride by means other than intravenous injection.
(c)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.8(c)
Any county that chooses to implement a program to certify an EMT-I to administer naloxone hydrochloride, as specified in subdivision (b), shall approve and administer a training and testing program leading to certification consistent with guidelines established by the state Emergency Medical Services Authority.
(d)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.8(d)
On or before July 1, 2003, the state Emergency Medical Services Authority shall develop guidelines relating to the county certification programs authorized pursuant to subdivision (b).
(e)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.8(e)
An EMT-I may be authorized by the EMT certifying authority to administer naloxone hydrochloride by means other than intravenous injection only if the EMT-I has completed training and passed an examination administered or approved by the EMT certifying authority in the area.
(f)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.8(f)
This section shall be operative only until the operative date of regulations that revise the regulations set forth in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 100101) of Division 9 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and that authorize an EMT-I to receive EMT-II training in administering naloxone hydrochloride without having to complete the entire EMT-II certification course.
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Section § 1797.9
This law clarifies that the state or local governments in California are not allowed to regulate certain nonmedical aspects of public aircraft. This includes aspects like how public aircraft are certified or configured, how they are maintained, piloting techniques, and the qualifications for pilots and crew members. The term 'public aircraft' aligns with its definition in federal regulations, specifically Section 1.1 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(a)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.9(a) This division shall not be construed to regulate or authorize state or local regulation of any nonmedical aspects of the following:
(1)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.9(a)(1) Public aircraft certification or configuration.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.9(a)(2) Public aircraft maintenance procedures and documentation.
(3)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.9(a)(3) Piloting techniques and methods of piloting public aircraft.
(4)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.9(a)(4) Public aircraft crewmember qualifications.
(5)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.9(a)(5) Pilot certification or qualifications for public aircraft.
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 1797.9(b) For purposes of this section, “public aircraft” has the same meaning as in Section 1.1 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
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