§ 40:1135.2 — Qualifications to operate emergency medical response vehicles; vehicle

Louisiana § 40:1135.2

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 40: Public Health and Safety

Text

§1135.2. Qualifications to operate emergency medical response vehicles; vehicle
requirements; equipment; penalties
A.(1) No person shall conduct, maintain, or operate an emergency medical response
vehicle as an emergency vehicle on any street, alley, or public way or place in the state unless
the vehicle is staffed with at least one individual who is a licensed emergency medical
responder.
(2) No person shall provide services in any capacity on an emergency medical
response vehicle unless he is at least a licensed emergency medical responder, or a holder of
a certificate of licensure as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, or is a physician or
surgeon licensed to practice medicine by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners,
a licensed respiratory therapist, a licensed nurse practitioner, a licensed physician assistant,
or a licensed occupational therapist. No person shall provide services in any capacity on
these vehicles without holding an American Heart Association Health Care Provider, or
American Red Cross Professional Rescuer, or the equivalent cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
certification that has been approved by the Louisiana Department of Health.
B. No person shall conduct, maintain, or operate an emergency medical response
vehicle as an emergency vehicle which:
(1) Does not carry with it equipment, in fully operational condition, for emergency
medical response consistent with the scope of practice for emergency medical technicians
established in R.S. 40:1133.14. Each emergency medical response vehicle provider shall
develop and maintain a written policy identifying the equipment required to comply with the
provisions of this Paragraph. At a minimum, the policy shall identify the basic trauma
equipment, drugs, suction and oxygen equipment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation equipment,
and any other equipment required by law that shall be maintained on the emergency medical
response vehicle.
(2) Is not marked with the company name or logo on both sides and the rear and does
not have fully visible and audible warning signals in accordance with rules and regulations
promulgated by the Louisiana Department of Health.
(3) Does not meet the minimum motor vehicle safety standards as prescribed in the
rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Inspection Act, R.S.
32:1302 et seq.
(4) Is not insured in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 40:1135.9.
(5) Is not owned or leased by the certified ambulance service operating the vehicle.
C.(1) The Louisiana Department of Health or its designee shall be empowered to
conduct inspections of emergency medical response vehicles. The department shall certify
such vehicles and shall have the authority to deny, probate, suspend, or revoke certifications.
The department shall also have the authority to report any violations to the appropriate
district attorney's office.
(2) Certification issued by the Louisiana Department of Health shall serve as
authorization of the ambulance service to operate the emergency medical response vehicle
pursuant to the provisions of this Section.
D. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and upon conviction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not
more than thirty days, or both. The penalty prescribed by this Subsection shall be doubled
for any subsequent offense.

Legislative History

Acts 1997, No. 297, §2; Acts 2012, No. 789, §2, eff. June 13, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 184, §2(A); Redesignated from R.S. 40:1235.1 by HCR 84 of 2015 R.S; Acts 2018, No. 557, §1.