1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; modifying emergency medical transport provisions; requiring 
1.3 	that certain information be provided to regional trauma advisory councils;
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 144.604, subdivisions 1, 2; 144.608, 
1.5 	subdivision 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.604, subdivision 3.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.604, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Transport requirement. Unless the Emergency Medical Services 
1.9 	Regulatory Board has approved a licensed ambulance service's deviation from the 
1.10 	guidelines under section 144E.101, subdivision 14, the ambulance service must transport 
1.11 	major trauma patients from the scene to the highest state-designated trauma hospital 
1.12 	within 30 minutes' transport time according to subdivision 2.

1.13 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2010.

1.14 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.604, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.15 		Subd. 2.Ground ambulance exceptions transportation. Notwithstanding 
1.16 	subdivision 1, ground ambulances must comply with the following:
1.17 	(1) patients with compromised airways must be transported immediately to the 
1.18 	nearest designated trauma hospital; and
1.19 	(2) level II trauma hospitals capable of providing definitive trauma care must not 
1.20 	be bypassed to reach a level I trauma hospital. Ground ambulances must immediately 
1.21 	transport patients with compromised airways to the nearest designated trauma hospital. If 
1.22 	no designated trauma hospital exists within 30 minutes transport time, the patient must be 
2.1 	transported to the closest hospital. In cases where a patient does not have a compromised 
2.2 	airway, the ground ambulance must transport major trauma patients:
2.3 	(1) to a level I or level II trauma hospital within thirty minutes transport time; 
2.4 	(2) if no level I or level II trauma hospital exists within 30 minutes transport time, 
2.5 	the patient must be transported to the closest designated trauma hospital within 30 minutes 
2.6 	transport time or to a more appropriate higher designated trauma hospital if predetermined 
2.7 	by the ambulance service medical director; or
2.8 	(3) if no designated trauma hospital exists within 30 minutes transport time, the 
2.9 	patient must be transported to the closest hospital.

2.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2010.

2.11 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.608, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.12 		Subd. 3.Regional trauma advisory councils. (a) Up to eight regional trauma 
2.13 	advisory councils may be formed as needed.
2.14 	(b) Regional trauma advisory councils shall advise, consult with, and make 
2.15 	recommendation to the state Trauma Advisory Council on suggested regional 
2.16 	modifications to the statewide trauma criteria that will improve patient care and 
2.17 	accommodate specific regional needs. The commissioner, in consultation with the 
2.18 	Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board and the emergency medical services and 
2.19 	trauma hospitals in each region, shall provide quarterly data updates on major trauma 
2.20 	scene ground ambulance transports to each regional trauma advisory council.
2.21 	(c) Each regional advisory council must have no more than 15 members. The 
2.22 	commissioner, in consultation with the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board, 
2.23 	shall name the council members.
2.24 	(d) Regional council members may receive expenses in the same manner and amount 
2.25 	as authorized by the plan adopted under section 43A.18, subdivision 2.

2.26 	Sec. 4.  REPEALER.
 2.27 	Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.604, subdivision 3, is repealed the day 
2.28 	following final enactment.