HF 1003

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/11/2021 02:40pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; modifying certification requirements for certain occupations
regulated by the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board; modifying
requirements for education programs and education program primary instructors;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 144E.001, by adding a subdivision;
144E.27, subdivisions 2, 3; 144E.28, subdivisions 1, 3, 7, 8; 144E.283; 144E.285,
subdivisions 1, 2, 4, by adding subdivisions; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2020,
section 144E.27, subdivisions 1, 1a.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.001, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Education program primary instructor or primary instructor. new text end

new text begin "Education
program primary instructor" or "primary instructor" means an individual, as approved by
the board, who serves as the lead instructor of an emergency medical care initial certification
course and who is responsible for planning or conducting the course according to the most
current version of the National EMS Education Standards by the NHTSA, United States
Department of Transportation.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.27, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Registration.

To be eligible for registration with the board as an emergency
medical responder, an individual shall deleted text begin complete a board-approved application form and deleted text end :

(1) successfully complete deleted text begin a board-approved initial emergency medical responder
education program. Registration under this clause is valid for two years and expires on
October 31 deleted text end new text begin the United States Department of Transportation course, or its equivalent as
approved by the board, specific to the emergency medical responder classification new text end ; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(2) be credentialed as an emergency medical responder by the National Registry of
Emergency Medical Technicians deleted text begin . Registration under this clause expires the same day as
the National Registry credential. deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (3) complete a board-approved application form.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.27, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Renewal.

(a) The board may renew the registration of an emergency medical
responder who:

(1) successfully completes a board-approved refresher course; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (2) successfully completes a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation approved by the
board or the licensee's medical director; and
new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end submits a completed renewal application to the board before the registration
expiration date.

(b) The board may renew the lapsed registration of an emergency medical responder
who:

(1) successfully completes a board-approved refresher course; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (2) successfully completes a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation approved by the
board or the licensee's medical director; and
new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end submits a completed renewal application to the board within 12 months after the
registration expiration date.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Requirements.

To be eligible for certification by the board as an EMT,
AEMT, or paramedic, an individual shall:

(1) successfully complete the United States Department of Transportation course, or its
equivalent as approved by the board, specific to the EMT, AEMT, or paramedic classification;

(2) deleted text begin pass the written and practical examinations approved by the board and administered
by the board or its designee, deleted text end new text begin obtain National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
certification new text end specific to the EMT, AEMT, or paramedic classification; and

(3) complete a board-approved application form.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.28, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Reciprocity.

The board may certify an individual who possesses a current
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians deleted text begin registration deleted text end new text begin certification new text end from another
jurisdiction if the individual submits a board-approved application form. The board
certification classification shall be the same as the National Registry's classification.
Certification shall be for the duration of the applicant's deleted text begin registration deleted text end new text begin certification new text end period in
another jurisdiction, not to exceed two years.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.28, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Renewal.

(a) Before the expiration date of certification, an applicant for renewal
of certification as an EMT shall:

(1) successfully complete a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation that is approved by
the board or the licensee's medical director;

(2) deleted text begin take the United States Department of Transportation EMT refresher course and
successfully pass the practical skills test portion of the course, or successfully complete 48
hours of continuing education in EMT programs that are consistent with the United States
Department of Transportation National EMS Education Standards or its equivalent as
approved by the board or as approved by the licensee's medical director and pass a practical
skills test approved by the board and administered by an education program approved by
the board. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation course and practical skills test may be included
as part of the refresher course or continuing education renewal requirements; and deleted text end new text begin satisfy
one of the following requirements:
new text end

new text begin (i) maintain National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification following
the requirements of the National Continued Competency Program, or its equivalent as
approved by the board. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation course required under clause (1)
shall count toward the continuing education requirements for renewal; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) for an individual who only holds Minnesota EMT certification and held the
certification prior to April 1, 2021, maintain Minnesota certification by completing the
required hours of continuing education as determined in the National Continued Competency
Program of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or its equivalent as
approved by the board. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation course required under clause (1)
shall count toward the continuing education requirements for renewal. This item expires
April 1, 2036; and
new text end

(3) complete a board-approved application form.

(b) Before the expiration date of certification, an applicant for renewal of certification
as an AEMT or paramedic shall:

(1) for an AEMT, successfully complete a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation that
is approved by the board or the licensee's medical director new text begin , new text end and for a paramedic, successfully
complete a course in advanced cardiac life support that is approved by the board or the
licensee's medical director;

(2) deleted text begin successfully complete 48 hours of continuing education in emergency medical training
programs, appropriate to the level of the applicant's AEMT or paramedic certification, that
are consistent with the United States Department of Transportation National EMS Education
Standards or its equivalent as approved by the board or as approved by the licensee's medical
director. An applicant may take the United States Department of Transportation Emergency
Medical Technician refresher course or its equivalent without the written or practical test
as approved by the board, and as appropriate to the applicant's level of certification, as part
of the 48 hours of continuing education. Each hour of the refresher course, the
cardiopulmonary resuscitation course, and the advanced cardiac life-support course counts
toward the 48-hour continuing education requirement; and deleted text end new text begin satisfy one of the following
requirements:
new text end

new text begin (i) maintain National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification following
the requirements of the National Continued Competency Program, or its equivalent as
approved by the board. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation course or advanced cardiac life
support course required under clause (1) shall count toward the continuing education
requirements for renewal; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) for an individual who only holds Minnesota AEMT or paramedic certification and
held the certification prior to April 1, 2021, maintain Minnesota certification by completing
the required hours of continuing education as determined in the National Continued
Competency Program of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, or its
equivalent as approved by the board. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation course or advanced
cardiac life support course required under clause (1) shall count toward the continuing
education requirements for renewal. This item expires April 1, 2036; and
new text end

(3) complete a board-approved application form.

(c) Certification shall be renewed every two years.

(d) If the applicant does not meet the renewal requirements under this subdivision, the
applicant's certification expires.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.28, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Reinstatement.

(a) Within deleted text begin four deleted text end new text begin two new text end years of a certification expiration date, a
person whose certification has expired under subdivision 7, paragraph (d), may have the
certification reinstated upon submission of:

(1) evidence to the board of training equivalent to the continuing education requirements
of subdivision 7; and

(2) a board-approved application form.

(b) If more than deleted text begin four deleted text end new text begin two new text end years have passed since a certificate expiration date, an applicant
must complete the initial certification process required under subdivision 1.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.283, is amended to read:

144E.283 new text begin PRIMARY new text end INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS.

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end An deleted text begin emergency medical technician deleted text end new text begin education program primary new text end instructor must:

(1) possess deleted text begin valid deleted text end new text begin current Minnesota new text end certification, registration, or licensure as new text begin one of the
following, at a level that is equivalent to or higher than the level of certification or registration
being taught:
new text end

new text begin (i) new text end an new text begin EMR, new text end EMT, AEMT, new text begin or new text end paramedic deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (ii) a new text end physician deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin with certification in adult or pediatric emergency medicine from the
American Board of Emergency Medicine or the American Board of Osteopathic Emergency
Medicine, with certification in an emergency medical services subspecialty, or serving as
a medical director of a licensed ambulance service;
new text end

new text begin (iii) a new text end physician assistant deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin with experience in emergency medicine; new text end or

new text begin (iv) a new text end registered nurse new text begin with certification in adult or pediatric prehospital nursing from
(A) the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing, including certified flight registered
nurse or certified transport registered nurse, or (B) the National Certification Corporation,
including certified in neonatal pediatric transport new text end ;

(2) deleted text begin have two years of active emergency medical practical experience deleted text end new text begin if required under
this chapter for Minnesota certification or registration, possess National Registry of
Emergency Medical Technicians certification or registration as an EMR, EMT, AEMT, or
paramedic, at a level that is equivalent to or higher than the level of certification or
registration being taught new text end ;

new text begin (3) satisfy one of the following requirements:
new text end

new text begin (i) hold at least an associate's degree and have been certified for at least three years at a
level that is equivalent to or higher than the level of certification or registration being taught;
or
new text end

new text begin (ii) have been certified for at least five years at a level that is equivalent to or higher
than the level of certification or registration being taught;
new text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end be recommended by a medical director of a licensed hospital, ambulance service,
or education program approved by the board;

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (5) satisfy one of the following requirements:
new text end

new text begin (i) new text end successfully complete the United States Department of Transportation Emergency
Medical Services Instructor deleted text begin Education Program or its equivalent as approved by the board deleted text end new text begin
course new text end ; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

new text begin (ii) successfully complete the National Association of EMS Educators Instructor level
1 course;
new text end

new text begin (iii) successfully complete the Fire Instructor I course;
new text end

new text begin (iv) hold at least a bachelor's degree in education;
new text end

new text begin (v) hold at least a master's degree in a related field of study;
new text end

new text begin (vi) have been vetted through the Minnesota State faculty credentialing process; or
new text end

new text begin (vii) successfully complete an equivalent course or hold an equivalent degree as approved
by the board;
new text end

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end complete eight hours of continuing education in educational topics every two
years, with documentation filed with the education program coordinator deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (7) complete a board-approved application form; and
new text end

new text begin (8) receive board approval as a primary instructor.
new text end

deleted text begin (b) An emergency medical responder instructor must possess valid registration,
certification, or licensure as an EMR, EMT, AEMT, paramedic, physician, physician
assistant, or registered nurse.
deleted text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.285, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Approval required.

(a) All education programs for an new text begin EMR, new text end EMT,
AEMT, or paramedic must be approved by the board.

(b) To be approved by the board, an education program must:

(1) submit an application prescribed by the board that includes:

(i) type deleted text begin and length deleted text end of course to be offered;

(ii) names, addresses, and qualifications of the program medical director, program
education coordinator, and instructors;

deleted text begin (iii) names and addresses of clinical sites, including a contact person and telephone
number;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (iv) deleted text end new text begin (iii) new text end admission criteria for students; and

deleted text begin (v) deleted text end new text begin (iv) new text end materials and equipment to be used;

(2) for each course, implement the most current version of the United States Department
of Transportation EMS Education Standards, or its equivalent as determined by the board
applicable to new text begin EMR, new text end EMT, AEMT, or paramedic education;

(3) have a program medical director and a program coordinator;

(4) utilize new text begin primary new text end instructors who meet the requirements of section 144E.283 for teaching
at least 50 percent of the course content. The remaining 50 percent of the course may be
taught by guest lecturers approved by the education program coordinator or medical director;

deleted text begin (5) have at least one instructor for every ten students at the practical skill stations;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (6) maintain a written agreement with a licensed hospital or licensed ambulance service
designating a clinical training site;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (7) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end retain documentation of program approval by the board, course outline, and
student information;

deleted text begin (8) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end notify the board of the starting date of a course prior to the beginning of a course; new text begin
and
new text end

deleted text begin (9) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end submit the appropriate fee as required under section 144E.29 deleted text begin ; and deleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (10) maintain a minimum average yearly pass rate as set by the board on an annual basis.
The pass rate will be determined by the percent of candidates who pass the exam on the
first attempt. An education program not meeting this yearly standard shall be placed on
probation and shall be on a performance improvement plan approved by the board until
meeting the pass rate standard. While on probation, the education program may continue
providing classes if meeting the terms of the performance improvement plan as determined
by the board. If an education program having probation status fails to meet the pass rate
standard after two years in which an EMT initial course has been taught, the board may
take disciplinary action under subdivision 5.
deleted text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.285, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin EMR requirements. new text end

new text begin The National EMS Education Standards established by
the NHTSA, United States Department of Transportation specifies the minimum requirements
for knowledge and skills for emergency medical responders. A medical director of an
emergency medical responder group may establish additional knowledge and skill
requirements for EMRs.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.285, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin EMT requirements. new text end

new text begin In addition to the requirements under subdivision 1,
paragraph (b), an education program applying for approval to teach EMTs must:
new text end

new text begin (1) in the application prescribed by the board, include names and addresses of clinical
sites, including a contact person and telephone number;
new text end

new text begin (2) maintain a written agreement with a licensed hospital or licensed ambulance service
designating a clinical training site; and
new text end

new text begin (3) maintain a minimum average yearly pass rate as set by the board. An education
program not meeting the standard in this subdivision shall be placed on probation and must
comply with a performance improvement plan approved by the board until the program
meets the pass-rate standard. While on probation, the education program may continue to
provide classes if the program meets the terms of the performance improvement plan, as
determined by the board. If an education program that is on probation status fails to meet
the pass-rate standard after two years in which an EMT initial course has been taught, the
board may take disciplinary action under subdivision 5.
new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.285, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

AEMT and paramedic requirements.

(a) In addition to the requirements
under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), an education program applying for approval to teach
AEMTs and paramedics must new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end be administered by an educational institution accredited by the Commission of
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) in the application prescribed by the board, include names and addresses of clinical
sites, including a contact person and telephone number; and
new text end

new text begin (3) maintain a written agreement with a licensed hospital or licensed ambulance service
designating a clinical training site.
new text end

(b) An AEMT and paramedic education program that is administered by an educational
institution not accredited by CAAHEP, but that is in the process of completing the
accreditation process, may be granted provisional approval by the board upon verification
of submission of its self-study report and the appropriate review fee to CAAHEP.

(c) An educational institution that discontinues its participation in the accreditation
process must notify the board immediately and provisional approval shall be withdrawn.

deleted text begin (d) This subdivision does not apply to a paramedic education program when the program
is operated by an advanced life-support ambulance service licensed by the Emergency
Medical Services Regulatory Board under this chapter, and the ambulance service meets
the following criteria:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) covers a rural primary service area that does not contain a hospital within the primary
service area or contains a hospital within the primary service area that has been designated
as a critical access hospital under section 144.1483, clause (9);
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) has tax-exempt status in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, section
501(c)(3);
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) received approval before 1991 from the commissioner of health to operate a paramedic
education program;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) operates an AEMT and paramedic education program exclusively to train paramedics
for the local ambulance service; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (5) limits enrollment in the AEMT and paramedic program to five candidates per
biennium.
deleted text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.285, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Reapproval.

An education program shall apply to the board for reapproval at
least three months prior to the expiration date of its approval and must:

(1) submit an application prescribed by the board specifying any changes from the
information provided for prior approval and any other information requested by the board
to clarify incomplete or ambiguous information presented in the application; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(2) comply with the requirements under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clauses (2) to deleted text begin (10). deleted text end new text begin
(7);
new text end

new text begin (3) be subject to a site visit;
new text end

new text begin (4) for education programs that teach EMTs, comply with the requirements in subdivision
1b; and
new text end

new text begin (5) for education programs that teach AEMTs and paramedics, comply with the
requirements in subdivision 2 and maintain accreditation with the CAAHEP.
new text end

Sec. 14. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 144E.27, subdivisions 1 and 1a, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 21-00461

144E.27 EDUCATION PROGRAMS; BOARD APPROVAL.

Subdivision 1.

Education program instructor.

An education program instructor must be an emergency medical responder, EMT, AEMT, paramedic, physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse.

Subd. 1a.

Approval required.

(a) All education programs for an emergency medical responder must be approved by the board.

(b) To be approved by the board, an education program must:

(1) submit an application prescribed by the board that includes:

(i) type and length of course to be offered;

(ii) names, addresses, and qualifications of the program medical director, program education coordinator, and instructors;

(iii) admission criteria for students; and

(iv) materials and equipment to be used;

(2) for each course, implement the most current version of the United States Department of Transportation EMS Education Standards, or its equivalent as determined by the board applicable to Emergency Medical Responder registration education;

(3) have a program medical director and a program coordinator;

(4) have at least one instructor for every ten students at the practical skill stations;

(5) retain documentation of program approval by the board, course outline, and student information; and

(6) submit the appropriate fee as required under section 144E.29.

(c) The National EMS Education Standards by the NHTSA, United States Department of Transportation contains the minimal entry level of knowledge and skills for emergency medical responders. Medical directors of emergency medical responder groups may expand the knowledge and skill set.