(a)  For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)  “EMT-I” means any person who has training and a valid certificate as prescribed by Section 1797.80.

(2)  “EMT certifying authority” means the medical director of the local emergency medical services agency.

(b)  Any county may, at the discretion of the county or regional medical director of emergency medical services, develop a program to certify an EMT-I to administer naloxone hydrochloride by means other than intravenous injection.

(c)  Any county that chooses to implement a program to certify an EMT-I to administer naloxone hydrochloride, as specified in subdivision (b), shall approve and administer a training and testing program leading to certification consistent with guidelines established by the state Emergency Medical Services Authority.

(d)  On or before July 1, 2003, the state Emergency Medical Services Authority shall develop guidelines relating to the county certification programs authorized pursuant to subdivision (b).

(e)  An EMT-I may be authorized by the EMT certifying authority to administer naloxone hydrochloride by means other than intravenous injection only if the EMT-I has completed training and passed an examination administered or approved by the EMT certifying authority in the area.

(f)  This section shall be operative only until the operative date of regulations that revise the regulations set forth in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 100101) of Division 9 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and that authorize an EMT-I to receive EMT-II training in administering naloxone hydrochloride without having to complete the entire EMT-II certification course.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 678, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003. Conditionally inoperative as provided in subd. (f). See same-numbered section in Division 2, Chapter 14.)