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S 1604

Provides for immediate notification to a complainant of the service of an ex parte order of protection

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Lanza

Strengthen EMS oversight: require annual regional EMS plans, transparent complaint handling, a funding study for sustainable support, and an EMS peer licensure advisory panel.

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Bill Summary · S 1604

Summary — S.1604 (2025): An Act Relative to Emergency Medical Services Oversight

Note: The bill text filed as Senate No. 1604 (presented by Senator Patrick M. O’Connor) concerns emergency medical services (EMS) oversight. Some metadata supplied with the request (alternate title about ex parte orders and other sponsors) appears inconsistent with the bill text; this summary follows the bill text.

Purpose / Intent

To strengthen regional and state EMS planning, improve communication between regional EMS councils and the Department of Public Health (Office of Emergency Medical Services), formalize complaint procedures, study sustainable EMS funding, and establish an EMS peer licensure advisory committee.

Key provisions (by section)

  • Communication and planning requirements

    • Amendments to chapter 111C require regional EMS plans to include "guidelines for clear and streamlined communication" between regional councils and the department.
    • Regional councils must include communication to and input from stakeholders when developing plans.

  • Annual regional EMS plans (new section 4(d))

    • Each regional EMS council must prepare and file an annual regional EMS services and support plan with the Department and the Board on or before May 30.
    • Plans must be consistent with the state EMS plan and include a trauma plan with at least trauma point-of-entry guidelines and scene triage criteria.
    • Upon submission, the department may amend regional EMS council contracts (subject to appropriation and section 5 guidelines) to reflect the submitted plans.

  • Contracting and funding references

    • Contract amendments and regional considerations explicitly tied to annual plans are added to section 5.

  • Complaints and transparency (replacement of section 14)

    • Department must establish procedures for making, transmitting, and investigating complaints about certificants/licensed/approved persons under chapter 111C.
    • Complaint procedures and forms must be posted on the Office of Emergency Services website.
    • Department will investigate complaints as the public interest requires, refer complaints as appropriate, and notify complainants of the department’s action or, if no investigation is required, the finding and its reasons.

  • Funding study and report (new section 3(d))

    • Department, with regional councils, shall study potential permanent funding sources/mechanisms for the Office of EMS, regional councils, and central medical emergency direction centers.
    • A report with findings/recommendations is due to the legislative clerks and Ways & Means committees by December 1, 2025.

  • EMS peer licensure advisory committee (new section 26)

    • Composition: commissioner (or designee), director of Office of EMS (or designee), plus 6 appointees representing: Professional Fire Fighters of MA; MA Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association; Professional Fire Chiefs Association of MA; Massachusetts Ambulance Association; Massachusetts Association of Hospital-Based Paramedic Services; International Association of EMTs and Paramedics.
    • Charge: advise the department on complaint resolution and disciplinary actions related to persons regulated under chapter 111C.
    • Operations: meet at least twice annually; appointed members serve 3-year terms, max 3 terms; no compensation.

Who is affected

  • Regional EMS councils and their contracting/operations
  • EMS providers (ambulance services, paramedics, EMTs), hospitals (trauma systems)
  • Department of Public Health / Office of Emergency Medical Services
  • Local fire and ambulance organizations (as represented on the advisory committee)
  • Complainants and regulated persons (more transparent complaint process)

Procedural / Timeline notes

  • Annual regional EMS plans due by May 30 each year.
  • Funding study report due December 1, 2025.
  • Advisory committee to meet at least twice per year.
  • Contract changes tied to submitted plans are subject to appropriation.

Potential impact

  • Strengthens regional-state coordination and formalizes trauma triage/entry planning.
  • Increases transparency of complaint processes and requires complainant notification.
  • Creates a stakeholder advisory mechanism for disciplinary/complaint matters.
  • Requires a near-term report on sustainable funding options, potentially informing future appropriations or statutory changes.

If you want, I can extract the exact statutory text changes line-by-line or produce a one-page fact sheet for stakeholders (regional councils, providers, legislators).

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

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