Oklahoma Senate Bill SB718

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Ambulance service districts; designating licensed ambulance services as essential service; requiring county governing body to ensure availability of ambulance service. Emergency.

Impact

A pivotal element of SB718 is the requirement for county governments to appropriate funds towards ensuring ambulance service availability if no other means of provision exist. This provision aims to bolster local emergency medical services and enhance the overall response capabilities within communities. Furthermore, counties that are currently organized as public ambulance service districts are automatically deemed compliant with these new requirements, enhancing service to residents in those jurisdictions.

Summary

Senate Bill 718 (SB718) proposes significant legislative changes relating to ambulance service districts in Oklahoma. The bill designates licensed ambulance services as essential services across the state and outlines the responsibilities of county governing bodies to ensure the availability of these services. This legal recognition emphasizes the critical nature of ambulance services in maintaining public health and safety, and it mandates that each county must have at least one licensed ambulance service operable at all times.

Contention

Notably, the bill prohibits municipalities from providing, maintaining, licensing, or contracting for ambulance services within counties that have established public ambulance service districts unless they have an official contract with the district's board of directors. This restriction aims to streamline ambulance services and reduce overlaps, but it may face opposition from local governments who want to maintain control over emergency services within their jurisdictions. This could spark debate about local authority versus state-level directives.

Emergency_declaration

SB718 includes a clause declaring an emergency due to the necessity for immediate action to preserve public health and safety, allowing for the bill to take effect promptly upon passage. This urgency underscores the state's intention to rapidly enhance the reliability of ambulance services given the essential nature of acute medical responses in emergencies.