Tennessee Senate Bill SB2283

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 14; Title 58; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68, Chapter 140, Part 3, relative to emergency medical services.

Impact

If enacted, SB2283 would modify existing laws regarding the staffing requirements of non-emergency transport services. The bill permits both advanced emergency medical technicians (AEMTs) and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to operate under relaxed staffing rules, ensuring there is an ambulance operator available. This amendment aims to enhance operational efficiency and responsiveness within emergency medical services, ensuring they can adequately handle non-emergency needs without compromising overall service delivery.

Summary

Senate Bill 2283 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to address emergency medical services, particularly focusing on staffing flexibility for non-emergency ambulance transport services. The bill outlines new operational protocols that would allow certain types of ambulance transports, specifically level 3 and level 4 transports, to be staffed by fewer personnel than typically required, under certain conditions. This change is intended to help alleviate capacity strains currently faced by emergency medical services in the state.

Contention

While the bill is presented as a necessary adjustment to improve the efficiency of emergency medical services, it may face scrutiny from advocacy groups or stakeholders who are concerned about the potential risks associated with reduced staffing levels during non-emergency transports. Critics may argue that the provisions could lead to a decrease in the quality of care or response capabilities, especially if the staffing changes place undue pressure on already stretched resources.