County Emergency Medical Services System

HRS div. 1, tit. 6, ch. 46, pt. XI

in effect

HRS §46-191 Definitions

46-191. Definitions As used in this part, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: "Advanced life support" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 321-222. "Basic life support" means initiating noninvasive emergency patient care designed to optimize the patient's chances of surviving the emergency situation. The care rendered consists of all first aid procedures needed, but does not include invasive procedures that constitute the practice of medicine; provided that state-approved basic life support personnel may use fully automatic external defibrillators, initiate intravenous lines, and perform manual external defibrillation under the direction and personal supervision of a mobile intensive care technician. "Community paramedicine program" means an enhanced and expanded service in the county emergency medical services system that allows state-licensed health care professionals and community health workers to assist with public health, primary care, and prevention services, including services through telehealth. "County" means any county having a population of five hundred thousand or more. "County system" means the county emergency medical services system. "Emergency aeromedical services" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 321-222. "Emergency medical services for children" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 321-222. "Emergency medical services personnel" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 321-222. [L 2021, c 208, pt of §1]

HRS §46-192 County emergency medical services system; establishment

46-192. County emergency medical services system; establishment Each county shall establish, administer, and maintain a county emergency medical services system to serve the emergency health needs of the people in the county. The county, in the implementation of this part, shall plan, coordinate, and provide assistance to all entities and agencies, public and private, involved in the county system. All emergency medical services or ambulance services conducted by or under the authority of the county shall be consistent with this part. [L 2021, c 208, pt of §1]

HRS §46-193 County, functions; duties

46-193. County, functions; duties In addition to other functions and duties assigned under this part, the county shall: (1) Establish emergency medical services throughout the county that may include emergency aeromedical services, which shall meet the requirements of this part and include the purchase, maintenance, and servicing of all vehicles, equipment, and supplies; a National Emergency Medical Services Information System compliant pre-hospital electronic patient care record system; and compatible data uploads to the cardiac arrest registry to enhance survival, the state trauma system, and the department of health pre-hospital electronic patient record registries; and (2) Establish, administer, and maintain a medical communication system for the county. [L 2021, c 208, pt of §1]

HRS §46-194 Emergency medical services; fees

46-194. Emergency medical services; fees (a) The county may establish reasonable fees to be collected from individuals who are: (1) Transported by emergency ground ambulance services to a health care facility within the county designated by the county for the care of the individual; (2) Provided health care by emergency medical services personnel within the county but not transported by ground ambulance to a health care facility; or (3) Provided care by the community paramedicine program. (b) No ambulance services, or any other emergency medical services available from or under the authority of this part shall be denied to any person on the basis of the ability of the person to pay or because of the lack of prepaid health care coverage or proof of the ability to pay or coverage. (c) The county may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section. [L 2021, c 208, pt of §1]

HRS §46-195 Community paramedicine program; established

46-195. Community paramedicine program; established (a) The county may establish and administer the community paramedicine program. (b) The county may: (1) Develop community paramedicine guidelines consistent with those adopted by the department of health; (2) Explore and develop partnerships with public and private health care entities, insurers, and community organizations to facilitate the community paramedicine program; and (3) Employ telehealth within the community paramedicine program to enhance access and improve the patient experience. (c) The county shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate the purposes of this section. [L 2021, c 208, pt of §1]

HRS §46-196 Emergency medical services; levels of service; contracts

46-196. Emergency medical services; levels of service; contracts The county shall determine the levels of emergency medical services that shall be implemented throughout the county; provided that the county shall provide no fewer than twenty-one ground ambulance units. The county may contract to provide emergency medical services, including emergency aeromedical services, or any necessary component of the county system. [L 2021, c 208, pt of §1]

HRS §46-197 Grants

46-197. Grants The county system may seek and accept any funds or property and other desirable support and assistance from any source whatsoever, whether gift, grant, services, or any combination thereof, subject to applicable laws. L 2021, c 208, pt of §1

HRS §46-198 Immunity and limitation on liability for emergency aeromedical services

46-198. Immunity and limitation on liability for emergency aeromedical services The county shall not be liable for any claim of injury or death based on a failure to establish or continue emergency aeromedical services in any part of the county. L 2021, c 208, pt of §1

HRS §46-199 Rules

46-199. Rules The county may adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this part, subject to chapter 91. L 2021, c 208, pt of §1

Source: Hawaii State Legislature (capitol.hawaii.gov), via Internet Archive capturesURL: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol02_Ch0046-0115/HRS0046/HRS_0046-.htmFetched: 11/10/2026