(a)  Any licensee or holder of a special permit may, with the approval of the state department, surrender his or her license or special permit for suspension or cancellation by the state department. Any license or special permit suspended or canceled pursuant to this section may be reinstated by the state department on receipt of an application showing compliance with the requirements of Section 1265.

(b)  Before approving a downgrade or closure of emergency services pursuant to subdivision (a), the state department shall receive a copy of the impact evaluation of the county to determine impacts, including, but not limited to, an impact evaluation of the downgrade or closure upon the community, including community access to emergency care, and how that downgrade or closure will affect emergency services provided by other entities. Development of the impact evaluation shall incorporate at least one public hearing. The county in which the proposed downgrade or closure will occur shall ensure the completion of the impact evaluation, and shall notify the state department of results of an impact evaluation within three days of the completion of that evaluation. The county may designate the local emergency medical services agency as the appropriate agency to conduct the impact evaluation. The impact evaluation and hearing shall be completed within 60 days of the county receiving notification of intent to downgrade or close emergency services. The county or designated local emergency medical services agency shall ensure that all hospital and prehospital health care providers in the geographic area impacted by the service closure or change are consulted with, and that local emergency service agencies and planning or zoning authorities are notified, prior to completing an impact evaluation as required by this section. This subdivision shall be implemented on and after the date that the county in which the proposed downgrade or closure will occur, or its designated local emergency medical services agency, has developed a policy specifying the criteria it will consider in conducting an impact evaluation, as required by subdivision (c).

(c)  The Emergency Medical Services Authority shall develop guidelines for development of impact evaluation policies. On or before June 30, 1999, each county or its designated local emergency medical services agency shall develop a policy specifying the criteria it will consider in conducting an impact evaluation pursuant to subdivision (b). Each county or its designated local emergency medical services agency shall submit its impact evaluation policy to the state department and the Emergency Medical Services Authority within three days of completion of the policy. The Emergency Medical Services Authority shall provide technical assistance upon request to a county or its designated local emergency medical services agency.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 83, Sec. 95. Effective January 1, 2000.)