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Bill

SB 159

Emergency Medical Services - Vehicles and Ambulances - Required Supplies

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alonzo Washington

SB 159 requires Maryland EMS vehicles to maintain standardized supplies and equipment, undergo regular reviews, and establishes formal complaint procedures for service quality accountability.

Passed Enrolled
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 159

Legislative bill overview

SB 159 establishes new requirements for emergency medical services (EMS) vehicles and ambulances in Maryland regarding required supplies, equipment reviews, and complaint procedures. The bill mandates standardized supply inventories, regular inspections, and creates a formal complaint mechanism for EMS service quality issues. These requirements apply to both public and private ambulance services operating in the state.

Why is this important

EMS is often a critical first point of care in medical emergencies, and equipment/supply failures can directly impact patient outcomes. Standardizing requirements and creating accountability mechanisms ensures consistency in care quality across Maryland's diverse EMS providers. Formal complaint procedures also provide transparency and help identify systemic issues in service delivery.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Private ambulance services and smaller EMS providers may face significant expenses implementing new supply standards and inspection protocols, potentially affecting service availability in rural areas
  • Supply standardization scope: Disagreement over which specific supplies should be mandated, as different patient populations and service types may have varying needs
  • Regulatory oversight burden: Questions about which state agency oversees compliance, enforcement mechanisms, and whether local oversight is sufficient versus state-level mandates

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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