Ind. Code ch. 16-31-2

Ind. Code ch. 16-31-2
in effect

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-1 Creation

Sec. 1. The Indiana emergency medical services commission is created. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-39-3.] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-2 Membership

Sec. 2. (a) The commission is composed of fourteen (14) members. The governor shall appoint the members for four (4) year terms as follows: (1) One (1) must be appointed from a volunteer fire department that provides emergency medical service. (2) One (1) must be appointed from a full-time municipal fire or police department that provides emergency medical service. (3) One (1) must be a nonprofit provider of ambulance services organized on a volunteer basis other than a volunteer fire department. (4) One (1) must be a provider of private ambulance services. (5) One (1) must be a state licensed paramedic. (6) One (1) must be a licensed physician who: (A) has a primary interest, training, and experience in emergency medical services; and (B) is currently practicing in an emergency medical services facility. (7) One (1) must be a chief executive officer of a hospital that provides ambulance services. (8) One (1) must be a registered nurse who has supervisory or administrative responsibility in a hospital emergency department. (9) One (1) must be a licensed physician who: (A) has a primary interest, training, and experience in trauma care; and (B) is practicing in a trauma facility. (10) One (1) must be a state certified emergency medical service technician. (11) One (1) must be an individual who: (A) represents the public at large; and (B) is not in any way related to providing emergency medical services. (12) One (1) must be a program director (as defined in 836 IAC 4-2-2(12)(B)(iii)) for a commission certified advanced life support training institution. (13) One (1) must be the executive director of the department of homeland security appointed under IC 10-19-3-1 or the designee of the executive director. (14) One (1) must be a representative of an entity that provides air ambulance services. (b) The chief executive officer of a hospital appointed under subsection (a)(7) may designate another administrator of the hospital to serve for the chief executive officer on the commission. (c) Not more than eight (8) members may be from the same political party. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-39-4(a), (c).] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.110-2000, SEC.1; P.L.68-2009, SEC.1; P.L.77-2012, SEC.15; P.L.100-2017, SEC.4; P.L.187-2021, SEC.57; P.L.170-2022, SEC.24.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-3 Vacancies

Sec. 3. An appointment to fill a vacancy occurring on the commission is for the unexpired term. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-39-4(b).] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-4 Compensation and expenses

Sec. 4. (a) Each member of the commission who is not a state employee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency. (b) Each member of the commission who is a state employee is entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-39-8(c) part, (d) part.] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-5 Meetings

Sec. 5. The commission may meet as often as is necessary upon call of the chairman but meetings shall be held at least four (4) times each year. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-39-8(a).] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-6 Seal

Sec. 6. The commission may adopt and use a seal, the description of which shall be filed at the office of the secretary of state, which may be used for the authentication of the acts of the commission. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-39-8(b).] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-7 Emergency medical program; emergency medical services; financial assistance

Sec. 7. (a) The commission shall do the following: (1) Develop and promote, in cooperation with state, regional, and local public and private organizations, agencies, and persons, a statewide program for the provision of emergency medical services that must include the following: (A) Preparation of state, regional, and local emergency ambulance service plans. (B) Provision of consultative services to state, regional, and local organizations and agencies in developing and implementing ambulance service programs. (C) Promotion of a statewide system of emergency medical service facilities by developing minimum standards, procedures, and guidelines in regard to personnel, equipment, supplies, communications, facilities, and location of such centers. (D) Promotion of programs for the training of personnel providing emergency medical services and programs for the education of the general public in first aid techniques and procedures. The training shall be held in various local communities of the state and shall be conducted by agreement with publicly and privately supported educational institutions or hospitals licensed under IC 16-21, wherever appropriate. (E) Promotion of coordination of emergency communications, resources, and procedures throughout Indiana and, in cooperation with interested state, regional, and local public and private agencies, organizations, and persons, the development of an effective state, regional, and local emergency communications system. (F) Organizing and sponsoring a statewide emergency medical services conference to provide continuing education for persons providing emergency medical services. (2) Regulate, inspect, and certify or license services, facilities, and personnel engaged in providing emergency medical services as provided in this article. (3) Adopt rules required to implement an approved system of emergency medical services. (4) Adopt rules concerning triage and transportation protocols for the transportation of trauma patients consistent with the field triage decision scheme of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. (5) Apply for, receive, and accept gifts, bequests, grants-in-aid, state, federal, and local aid, and other forms of financial assistance for the support of emergency medical services. (6) Employ necessary administrative staff. (b) The commission shall include the provision of the mental health first aid training program developed under IC 12-21-5-4 in the promotion of continuing education programs under subsection (a)(1)(D). [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-39-6(a).] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.20-2008, SEC.1; P.L.77-2012, SEC.16; P.L.185-2015, SEC.16; P.L.170-2022, SEC.25.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-7.1 Statewide standards for air ambulance services

Sec. 7.1. (a) Not later than July 1, 2018, the commission shall: (1) evaluate the use in Indiana of air ambulance services on patient outcomes; and (2) develop and recommend statewide standards for the activation and use of air ambulance services; not including air ambulance services used for transferring patients between health facilities. In performing its duties under this section, the commission shall reevaluate Indiana's adopted triage and transportation protocols for the transportation of trauma patients. The division of trauma and injury prevention of the state department shall assist the commission. (b) The goal of the standards for activation and use of air ambulance services developed by the commission must be to: (1) prevent the overuse of air ambulance services for emergency scene response and patient transport; (2) provide consistent and appropriate criteria for emergency medical responders to use when determining whether to: (A) request an emergency scene response by an air ambulance provider; and (B) transport patients by air or by ground transport from the emergency scene to appropriate hospitals or trauma centers; and (3) provide appropriate, quality prehospital or pretrauma center patient care. (c) The commission shall review and update the standards at least once every three (3) years. As added by P.L.100-2017, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.151.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-8 First responder training and certification; reciprocal certification for military personnel; appointment of state emergency medical services medical director

Sec. 8. The commission may do the following: (1) Develop training and certification standards for emergency medical responders under this article. (2) Require emergency medical responders to be certified under the standards developed under subdivision (1). (3) Develop reciprocal certification training standards for individuals who have received medical training by a branch of the United States armed forces. (4) Not later than thirty (30) days after the executive director of the department of homeland security submits an appointment for state emergency medical services medical director to the commission, vote concerning whether to approve the appointment in accordance with IC 10-19-3-3.5(d). If the commission votes on the appointment in accordance with IC 10-19-3-3.5(d), a vote by a majority of the members of the commission is necessary under this subdivision in order to approve or not approve the appointment. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-39-9.5.] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.77-2012, SEC.17; P.L.188-2014, SEC.2; P.L.187-2021, SEC.58.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-9 Emergency medical personnel; standards

Sec. 9. The commission shall establish the following: (1) Standards for persons who provide emergency medical services and who are not licensed or regulated under IC 16-31-3. (2) Training standards for the administration of antidotes, vaccines, and antibiotics to prepare for or respond to a terrorist or military attack. (3) Training and certification standards for the administration of epinephrine through an auto-injector, a prefilled syringe, and a syringe and ampule by an emergency medical technician. (4) Training standards to permit the use of antidote kits containing atropine and pralidoxime chloride for the treatment of exposure to nerve agents by an emergency medical technician or an emergency medical responder. (5) Standards for distribution, administration, use, and training in the use of an overdose intervention drug. (6) Protocols for persons who provide emergency medical services to notify law enforcement officials when services have been provided to an individual who has attempted to commit suicide and who has indicated that the attempt was due in part to bullying. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-39-10.] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.156-2001, SEC.2; P.L.17-2002, SEC.4; P.L.93-2002, SEC.2; P.L.205-2003, SEC.21; P.L.74-2006, SEC.2; P.L.77-2012, SEC.18; P.L.156-2014, SEC.7; P.L.164-2014, SEC.3; P.L.34-2018, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-9.5 Commission duties concerning adoption of stroke protocol and stroke assessment tool; compilation of hospital list; certified hospital provision of information; advertisement

Sec. 9.5. (a) Before July 1, 2018, the commission shall do the following: (1) Adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 concerning protocols for the identification, transport, and treatment of stroke patients by personnel providing emergency medical services. The rules must include standards for stroke triage and transport protocols to be implemented by regional and local emergency medical services entities and programs to promote the efficiency and quality of care for stroke patients based on evidence based science and nationally recognized guidelines. (2) Adopt and distribute a nationally recognized stroke assessment tool to personnel providing emergency medical services. (b) Before July 1, 2018, the state department shall do the following: (1) Compile and maintain a list of Indiana hospitals that are certified as a comprehensive stroke center, a primary stroke center, or an acute stroke ready hospital by one (1) of the following: (A) The American Heart Association. (B) The Joint Commission. (C) DNV GL. (D) The Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program. (E) A nationally recognized organization that provides: (i) comprehensive stroke center hospital certification; (ii) primary stroke center hospital certification; or (iii) acute stroke ready hospital certification; for stroke care and that has been approved by the commission. (2) Compile and maintain a list of Indiana network participating hospitals that have a written agreement to transfer a stroke patient to a certified primary stroke center, certified comprehensive stroke center, or certified acute stroke ready hospital for stroke treatment therapies that the network participating hospital is not capable of providing. (c) A hospital that is certified under subsection (b)(1) shall: (1) provide the state department with the certification information, including a copy of the actual certification and the date the certification is set to expire; and (2) notify the state department not more than forty-eight (48) hours after the hospital's certification has been suspended, revoked, or lowered in the stroke care status level. (d) A hospital that is an Indiana network participating hospital under subsection (b)(2) must provide the state department with a copy of the written transfer agreement. (e) A health care facility may not advertise that the facility is a certified comprehensive stroke center, a primary stroke center, or an acute stroke ready hospital, unless the facility has been certified by an entity set forth in subsection (b)(1). A health care facility that violates this subsection is subject to the penalties set forth in IC 16-21-5. (f) The commission and the state department shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to share information to implement this section. As added by P.L.138-2017, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-10 Repealed

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citations: 16-1-39-7; 16-1-39-8(c) part, (d) part.] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14. Repealed by P.L.249-2019, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-11 Pre-hospital ambulance rescue and report records

Sec. 11. (a) The commission shall develop procedures for ongoing review of all emergency ambulance services. (b) The commission and the department of homeland security may review any pre-hospital ambulance rescue or report record regarding an emergency patient that is utilized or compiled by an emergency ambulance service employing paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians, or emergency medical technicians. However, except as provided in subsection (d), those records shall remain confidential and may be used for the following purposes: (1) The compilation and use of data and statistics. The use of such data or statistics is subject to IC 4-1-6. (2) Sharing and exchanging data with another entity for the purpose of improving patient care and outcomes. The entity shall: (A) be: (i) a covered entity pursuant to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (P.L. 104-191); or (ii) an Indiana nonprofit entity that performs health data services for a health care provider; and (B) enter into a data sharing agreement with the commission or department of homeland security that governs the use and protection of confidential data. (c) The commission and the department of homeland security may independently develop and oversee experimental study projects conducted by ambulance service providers in limited geographic areas of Indiana. These study projects must be developed and conducted in accordance with rules adopted by the commission under IC 4-22-2. These study projects must be designed to test the efficacy of new patient care techniques and new ambulance service systems. (d) This subsection applies to emergency ambulance services that are provided by or under a contract with an entity that is a public agency for purposes of IC 5-14-3. The following information, if contained in a pre-hospital ambulance rescue or report record regarding an emergency patient, is public information and must be made available for inspection and copying under IC 5-14-3: (1) The date and time of the request for ambulance services. (2) The reason for the request for assistance. (3) The time and nature of the response to the request for ambulance services. (4) The time of arrival at the scene where the patient was located. (5) The time of departure from the scene where the patient was located. (6) The name of the facility, if any, to which the patient was delivered for further treatment and the time of arrival at that facility. [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-40-7.] As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.127-2001, SEC.2; P.L.205-2003, SEC.22; P.L.77-2012, SEC.19; P.L.170-2022, SEC.26.

Ind. Code § 16-31-2-12 Fee

Sec. 12. The commission may impose a reasonable fee for the issuance of a certification or license under this chapter. The commission shall deposit the fee in the emergency medical services fund established by IC 16-31-8.5-3. As added by P.L.101-2006, SEC.25. Amended by P.L.77-2012, SEC.20.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/16Fetched: 10/17/2026