SB89: Bill Text

LRB-0720/1

TJD:amn

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Senate BILL 89

February 11, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Marklein, Nass, Cowles, Feyen and Felzkowski, cosponsored by Representatives Tranel, Novak, Kurtz, Oldenburg, VanderMeer, Jagler, Knodl, Moses, Murphy, Mursau, Ramthun, Schraa and Tusler. Referred to Committee on Insurance, Licensing and Forestry.

SB89,1,3 An Act to amend 256.15 (8) (b) 3.; and to create 256.15 (8) (bm) and 256.15 (8) (fm) of the statutes; relating to: certification requirements for emergency medical responders.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Generally, this bill affects the requirements for certification as an emergency medical responder, formally known as a first responder. First, this bill prohibits the Department of Health Services from requiring an applicant who is applying for certification as an emergency medical responder to register with or take the examination of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). An ambulance service provider or another emergency medical services program is allowed to require an emergency medical responder to register with or take the examination of the NREMT. Current rules promulgated by DHS require an applicant for a license as an emergency medical services practitioner at any level, including an emergency medical responder, to be registered with the NREMT or, in certain circumstances, to complete the NREMT examination.

Currently, an applicant for certification as an emergency medical responder who demonstrates to DHS that the education, training, instruction, or other experience gained by the applicant in connection with military service is substantially equivalent to the course required for emergency medical responder certification is considered to have satisfied completion of that course. This bill requires DHS to issue the certification for an applicant who has relevant education, training, and experience gained in connection with military service. For applicants with military service who are not affiliated with an ambulance service provider, the determination of whether an applicant has obtained the relevant education, training, and experience remains with DHS as under current law. For applicants with military service intending to volunteer for or be employed by an ambulance service provider or emergency medical services program, the determination of whether an applicant has obtained relevant education, training, and experience is solely within the discretion of that ambulance service provider or emergency medical services program.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB89,1 Section 1. 256.15 (8) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB89,2,13 256.15 (8) (b) 3. The individual satisfactorily completes an emergency medical responder course that meets or exceeds the guidelines issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under 23 CFR 1205.3 (a) (5), that includes training for response to acts of terrorism, and that is approved by the department. Any relevant education, training, instruction, or other experience that an applicant for initial certification as an emergency medical responder who is not affiliated with an ambulance service provider or emergency medical services program obtained in connection with any military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), satisfies the completion of an emergency medical responder course, if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the education, training, instruction, or other experience obtained by the applicant is substantially equivalent to the emergency medical responder course.

SB89,2 Section 2 . 256.15 (8) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB89,3,3 256.15 (8) (bm) The department may not require an applicant for certification as an emergency medical responder to register with or take the examination of the national registry of emergency medical technicians. An ambulance service provider or another emergency medical services program may require an emergency medical responder to register with or take the examination of the national registry of emergency medical technicians as a condition of being employed by or volunteering with the provider or program.

SB89,3 Section 3. 256.15 (8) (fm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB89,3,13 256.15 (8) (fm) Except as provided in ss. 256.17 and 256.18, the department shall issue a certificate as an emergency medical responder, without requiring satisfactory completion of any instruction or training that may be required under par. (b), to any individual who meets the criteria under par. (b) 1. and 2. and has obtained relevant education, training, and experience in connection with military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g). The determination of whether an individual has obtained relevant education, training, and experience is solely within the discretion of the ambulance service provider or emergency medical services program with which the individual intends to be employed or to volunteer.

SB89,4 Section 4. Effective date.

SB89,3,16 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 7th month beginning after publication.

SB89,3,17 (End)