ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

HB 2787: ground ambulances; registration

Sponsor: Representative Willoughby, LD 13

Committee on Commerce

Overview

An emergency measure that extends the validity of a certificate of registration.

History

The Department of Health Services (DHS) is statutorily required to adopt rules to regulate the operation of ambulances and ambulance services. Such rules must provide for DHS to: 1) determine, fix, alter and regulate just, reasonable and sufficient rates and charges for ambulances; 2) regulate operating and response times of ambulances to meet the needs of the public and to ensure adequate service; and 3) inspect, at a maximum of 12-month intervals, each registered ambulance to ensure that the vehicle is operation and safe and that all required medical equipment is operational. The director of DHS may inquire into the operation of an ambulance service, including a person operating an ambulance that has not been issued a certificate of registration or a person who does not have or is operating outside of a certificate of necessity (A.R.S. § 36-2232).

A person must apply for and obtain a certificate of registration in order to operate an ambulance. A person may be issued a certificate of registration by paying an initial registration fee and demonstrating to the director's satisfaction that they are in compliance with statute and all rules, standards and criteria adopted by DHS for the operation of an ambulance. A certificate of registration is valid for one year. However, an ambulance service may request that DHS issue an initial certificate of registration that expires before the end of one year in order for DHS to conduct an annual inspection of all of the ambulance service's ambulances at one time (A.R.S. § 36-2212).

Provisions

1. Stipulates that if DHS fails to schedule or perform an inspection of an ambulance within the prescribed time frame, an ambulance's registration remains valid and in effect until:

a) DHS completes the required inspection; and

b) the certificate of registration holder complies with the renewal process. (Sec. 1)

2. Asserts DHS's failure to issue or renew a certificate of registration within DHS's established time frames does not invalidate or delay the effective date of the certificate of registration. (Sec. 1)

3. Contains a legislative intent clause. (Sec. 2)

4. Applies retroactively to April 1, 2021. (Sec. 3)

5. Contains an emergency clause. (Sec. 4)

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9. HB 2787

10. Initials PB Page 0 Commerce

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