(a) Each emergency medical service organization licensed or certified by the Commissioner of Public Health shall, upon receipt of a notice of intention to strike by a labor organization representing the employees of such emergency medical service organization file a strike contingency plan, in accordance with the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act, 29 USC 158, as amended from time to time, with the commissioner not later than five days before the date indicated for commencement of the strike.

(b) The commissioner may issue a summary order to any emergency medical service organization, as defined in section 19a-175, that fails to file a strike contingency plan that complies with the provisions of this section and the regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section within the specified time period. Such order shall require the emergency medical service organization to immediately file a strike contingency plan that complies with the provisions of this section and the regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section.

(c) Any emergency medical service organization that fails to comply with this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each day of noncompliance.

(d) (1) If the commissioner determines that an emergency medical service organization has failed to comply with the provisions of this section or the regulations adopted pursuant to this section, for which a civil penalty is authorized by subsection (c) of this section, the commissioner may send to an authorized officer or agent of the emergency medical service organization, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or personally serve upon such officer or agent, a notice that includes: (A) A reference to this section or the section or sections of the regulations with which the emergency medical service organization has failed to comply; (B) a short and plain statement of the matters asserted or charged; (C) a statement of the maximum civil penalty that may be imposed for such noncompliance; and (D) a statement of the party's right to request a hearing to contest the imposition of the civil penalty.

(2) An emergency medical service organization may make written application for a hearing to contest the imposition of a civil penalty pursuant to this section not later than twenty days after the date such notice is mailed or served. All hearings under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. If an emergency medical service organization fails to request a hearing or fails to appear at the hearing or if, after the hearing, the commissioner finds that the emergency medical service organization is in noncompliance, the commissioner may, in the commissioner's discretion, order a civil penalty to be imposed that is not greater than the penalty stated in the notice. The commissioner shall send a copy of any order issued pursuant to this subsection by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the emergency medical service organization named in such order.

(e) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54: (1) Establishing requirements for a strike contingency plan, that shall include, but need not be limited to, a requirement that the plan contain documentation that the emergency medical service organization has arranged, in the event of a strike, for adequate staffing and security, fuel, pharmaceuticals and other essential supplies and services necessary to meet the needs of the patient population served by the emergency medical service organization; and (2) for purposes of the imposition of a civil penalty upon an emergency medical service organization pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this section.

(f) Such plan shall be deemed a statement of strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining for the purpose of subdivision (9) of subsection (b) of section 1-210.

(P.A. 14-231, S. 25.)