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HB 3233

EMS RESPONSE TASK FORCE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Brad Fritts

Creates a temporary Task Force to study and propose policy/funding fixes to slow EMS response times, especially in rural areas, with final recommendations by Sept 1, 2026.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3233

HB 3233 — Emergency Medical Service Response Task Force (Summary)

Status: Enacted (signed by Governor 6/20/2025). Effective date: September 1, 2025. (Added as Section 3.23 to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act; provision repealed January 1, 2027.)

Main purpose

Create a temporary, multi‑stakeholder Task Force to investigate slow and dangerous ambulance/EMS response times—with emphasis on rural areas—and to produce legislative and policy recommendations to address the crisis.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Emergency Medical Service Response Task Force (Section 3.23 of 210 ILCS 50).
  • Scope of study: the Task Force may examine any aspect of the response‑time crisis, including:
    • sustainability of EMS systems in rural communities;
    • regulatory or administrative burdens or staffing restrictions that contribute to staffing shortages and slow responses;
    • revenue sustainability and funding shortfalls threatening ambulance/EMS viability;
    • review and use of the EMT Training, Recruitment, and Retention Task Force’s report and recommendations.
  • Membership (appointed by legislative leaders, Governor, etc.), including:
    • 4 legislators (appointed by President of the Senate [co‑chair], Speaker of the House, Minority Leader of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House [co‑chair]);
    • 9 members representing private ground ambulance providers (for‑profit and non‑profit, rural and urban), appointed by the President of the Senate;
    • 3 hospital representatives (appointed by Speaker of the House), including representation for rural and safety‑net hospitals;
    • 3 members representing a statewide nursing home association (appointed by the President of the Senate);
    • 1 representative of the State Board of Education (appointed by the House Minority Leader);
    • EMS Medical Directors from a Regional EMS Medical Directors Committee (appointed by the Governor);
    • 1 representative of the Illinois Community College System (appointed by the Senate Minority Leader).
  • Operational rules:
    • Members serve without compensation.
    • The Task Force must convene at the call of the co‑chairs and hold at least 6 meetings.
    • The Department of Public Health is directed (via amendment to Section 3.20) to provide administrative support to the Task Force.
  • Deliverable and timeline:
    • Final report with legislative and policy recommendations due to the General Assembly and the Governor by September 1, 2026.
    • The Task Force is dissolved upon submission of the final report.
    • Statutory repeal of the Task Force section effective January 1, 2027.

Who is affected

  • Rural and urban ground ambulance providers (public, private, for‑profit and non‑profit)
  • Hospitals (including rural and safety‑net hospitals)
  • Nursing homes and long‑term care providers
  • EMS medical directors, EMS systems, and EMS personnel
  • Community colleges and EMS training programs
  • Department of Public Health and other state policy makers
  • Residents in areas experiencing slow EMS response times

Potential impact

  • Centralizes cross‑sector review of causes behind slow EMS response times and produces actionable policy options (e.g., regulatory changes, funding/reimbursement proposals, staffing/training strategies).
  • Could inform near‑term legislative fixes or administrative changes to improve EMS sustainability—especially in rural areas—by late 2026.
  • Short, time‑limited Task Force intended to provide a focused, evidence‑based roadmap rather than implement policy directly.

Other

  • House amendment incorporated administrative support from the Department of Public Health and adjustments to the EMS Systems Act (Section 3.20) relevant to implementation.
  • Companion bill: SB 1627.

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

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