 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
ground ambulances; registration
Purpose
Allows an ambulance certificate of registration (certificate) to remain valid and in effect pending certain action by the Department of Health Services (DHS).
Background
DHS must adopt rules to regulate the operation of ambulances and ambulance services, including: 1) determining, fixing, altering and regulating just, reasonable and sufficient rates and charges for ambulances; 2) regulating operating and response times of ambulances to meet the needs of the public and to ensure adequate service; 3) issuing, amending, transferring, suspending or revoking certificates of necessity; and 4) inspecting, at a maximum of 12-month intervals, each registered ambulance to ensure that the vehicle and all required medical equipment is operational and safe (A.R.S. § 36-2232).
A person must not operate an ambulance in Arizona unless the ambulance has a certificate and complies with all statutory rules, standards and criteria. A person may obtain a certificate to operate an ambulance by submitting an application on a form prescribed by the Director of DHS (Director), paying an initial registration fee and by demonstrating to the Director's satisfaction that the applicant is in compliance with all rules, standards and criteria adopted by the Director for the operation of an ambulance. The certificate is valid for one year.
An ambulance service may request an initial certificate 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).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. States 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 holder complies with the required renewal process.
2. States that DHS' failure to issue a certificate or a renewal certificate within the time frames established by DHS rule does not invalidate or delay the effective date of the certificate.
3. Contains statement of legislative intent.
4. Makes technical changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date, retroactive to April 1, 2021.
House Action
COM 2/18/25 DP 6-3-0-1
3rd Read 3/3/25 37-21-2
(W/O emergency)
Prepared by Senate Research
March 14, 2025
JT/JRM/ci