HB 209: Health; designate emergency medical services, including ambulance service, as an essential service

Georgia law does not currently label emergency medical services (EMS) as an 'essential service.' This bill would add a new section to the state's EMS law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 11 of Title 31) declaring that EMS and ambulance service, whether run by a public agency, a nonprofit, or a for-profit company, are essential services in Georgia. The bill is careful to limit its own effect. It says the new label does not change how local coordinating entities manage ambulance service within territorial zones and health districts, and it does not give any state agency or local government new authority, oversight, or regulatory power. In effect, the bill adds a formal statement about EMS's status without altering existing rules, funding mechanisms, or who oversees the service. Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 31-11-13) declaring EMS and ambulance service, public, nonprofit, or for-profit, to be essential services in Georgia.
• States that the designation does not change how local coordinating entities manage ambulance service within existing territorial zones and health districts.
• Specifies the bill does not grant any state agency or local government new authority, oversight, or regulatory power over EMS.
• Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with this new designation.

Ambulance and emergency medical service providers, including public agencies, private nonprofits, and for-profit companies, along with the local coordinating entities that manage EMS within Georgia's territorial zones and health districts.

By formally labeling EMS as essential, the bill could carry symbolic or practical weight in future policy, funding, or emergency-planning discussions, even though it explicitly avoids changing current oversight, regulation, or local coordination of ambulance services in Georgia.

• Section 1 creates new Code section 31-11-13, declaring EMS and ambulance service essential regardless of whether the provider is public, nonprofit, or for-profit.
• Subsection (a) applies the essential-service designation broadly across all types of EMS providers operating in Georgia.
• Subsection (b) clarifies the designation does not alter existing local coordinating arrangements within territorial zones and health districts.
• Subsection (b) also bars the bill from being read as granting new authority, oversight, or regulatory power to any state agency or local government.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard clause found in most bills.

1. 2025-02-04House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2025-02-03House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2025-01-30House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Ruwa Romman (D, HD-097)Patrocinador principal
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)
• Beth Camp (R, HD-135)

• emergency medical services
• ambulance service
• health policy
• essential services designation