Occupational Board Reform Act

General Information

Committee of Jurisdiction:Health and Human Services
Occupation Regulated:Paramedic
Occupational Board:Board of Emergency Medical Services
Contact:Nicole Barrett
Purpose:Paramedics are the highest level of emergency medical system prehospital response, providing assessment and triage of a medical incident, utilizing basic and advanced knowledge and skills to provide complex patient care, along with medical transportation. Enactment of a regulatory system that can respond to changing needs of patients and emergency care providers and emergency medical services is in the best interests of the citizens of Nebraska.
Regulated Professionals:1716
Year Created:1997
Year Active:1997
Sunset Date:n/a

Authorization

Statutory Authorization:Board § 38-1215; Paramedic §§ 38-1208.01 and 38-1217
Parent Agency:Department of Health and Human Services

Membership

Number of Members:17
Who Appoints:Governor
Legislative Approval:Yes
Qualifications of Members:Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1215
Per Diem:Yes
Expense Reimbursement:Yes
Term Length:5 Years
Terms Rotate or Expire at Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings

Required FY 2024-2023:1
Held FY 2024-2023:6
Required FY 2023-2022:1
Held FY 2023-2022:5
Required FY 2022-2021:1
Held FY 2022-2021:6
Required FY 2021-2020:1
Held FY 2021-2020:5
Required FY 2020-2019:1
Held FY 2020-2019:6

Operations

Support Staff:2
Shared or Separate:Shared
FY 2024-2023 Budget:0
FY 2023-2022 Budget:0
FY 2022-2021 Budget:0
FY 2021-2020 Budget:0
FY 2020-2019 Budget:0
Other Funding Sources:Nebraska EMS Operations Fund and general funds. Additional info sent to the Committee.
Spending Authority:Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-51,103. Additional info sent to the Committee.

Other

Government Certificates Issued:699
Issued Certificate Descriptions:Paramedic
Government Certificates Revoked:2
Revoked Certificate Descriptions:Reasons for revocation included felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, moderate or severe controlled substance use disorder, failure to report convictions within 30 days, failure to file report, failure to keep adequate records, practice beyond scope, probation violation, and unprofessional conduct.
Government Certificates Denied:1
Denied Certificate Descriptions:Reasons for denial included misdemeanor convictions, probation violations, failure to comply with treatment recommendations, active addictions, misrepresentation of material facts, disciplinary action by another state, failure to comply with an investigation, and failure to meet educational requirements.
Government Certificates Penalties Against:2
Penalty Certificate Descriptions:Reasons for penalization included felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, probation violation, moderate or severe alcohol use disorder, mild or severe controlled substance abuse disorder, unprofessional conduct, and violation of a department order.
Explanation of Effectiveness:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/explanation1729025812.pdf
Potential HarmIf the Emergency Medical Services professions were no longer licensed, certified, or regulated, it would be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare of Nebraska. With inherent proficiency in providing complex emergency patient care, such as medication delivery, electrocardiogram interpretation and advanced airway establishment, inadequately trained and educated individuals would compromise critical and vital prehospital complex care, which would be harmful to the public. Nebraska would also no longer be compliant or eligible to participate in the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact.
Regulation Comparison:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/comparison1729025812.pdf
Subject to Regulations of Act(LB407):Yes
Survey Submitted: October 15, 2024 03:56 PM