(a) (1) A public safety agency that provides “911” call processing services for emergency medical response shall make a connection available from the public safety agency dispatch center to an emergency medical services (EMS) provider’s dispatch center for the timely transmission of emergency response information.

(2) A public safety agency shall be entitled to recover from an EMS provider the actual costs incurred in establishing and maintaining a connection required by this subdivision.

(3) An EMS provider that elects not to use the connection provided pursuant to this subdivision shall be dispatched by the appropriate public safety agency and charged a rate negotiated by the parties.

(4) If an EMS provider is not directly dispatched from a public safety agency, the response interval for calculations for that EMS provider shall not include the call processing times of the public safety agency and shall begin upon receipt of notification by the EMS provider of the emergency response caller data, either electronically or by any other means prescribed in paragraph (5).

(5) For purposes of this subdivision, “connection” means either a direct computer aided dispatch (CAD) to CAD link, where permissible under law, between the public safety agency and an EMS provider or an indirect connection, including, but not limited to, a ring down line, intercom, radio, or other electronic means for timely notification of caller data and the location of the emergency response.

(b) Unless a local EMS agency has approved an emergency medical dispatch (EMD) program in conformance with Section 1798.8, that allows for a tiered or modified response, the local EMS-agency-authorized EMS system providers, and the statutorily authorized EMS system providers within the jurisdiction of the incident, shall be simultaneously notified, or as close as technologically feasible, and dispatched at the same response mode.

(c) A public safety agency implementing an EMD program shall be subject to the review and approval of the local EMS agency, and shall perform “911” call processing services and operate the program in accordance with applicable state guidelines and regulations, and the policies adopted by the local EMS agency that are consistent with Section 1798.8.

(d) A local EMS agency shall review and approve or deny a public safety agency’s plan to implement an EMD or advanced life support program within 90 days of submission of the plan. A public safety agency may elect to appeal any action of a local EMS agency as described in paragraphs (1) and (2):

(1) If a public safety agency’s application for an EMD or advanced life support program is not timely approved or is denied, an appeal shall be conducted in conformance with the administrative adjudication proceedings set forth in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(2) A final decision rendered pursuant to this subdivision may be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction.

(e) This section does not authorize a public safety agency to alter the response of a local EMS-agency-authorized EMS transport provider, including EMS transport providers operating pursuant to Section 1797.224, unless authorized by a local EMS agency.

(f) Nothing in this section supersedes Section 1797.201.

(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 389, Sec. 3. (SB 438) Effective January 1, 2020.)