(a) For purposes of this section, “primary service area responder” has the same meaning as in section 19a-175. A municipality that seeks a change in a primary service area responder shall submit an alternative local emergency medical services plan prepared pursuant to section 19a-181b to the Department of Public Health when: (1) The municipality's current primary service area responder has failed to meet the standards outlined in the local emergency medical services plan, established pursuant to section 19a-181b; (2) the municipality has established a performance crisis or unsatisfactory performance, as defined in section 19a-181c; (3) the primary service area responder does not meet a performance measure provided in regulations adopted pursuant to section 19a-179; (4) the municipality has developed a plan for regionalizing service; or (5) the municipality has developed a plan that will improve or maintain patient care and the municipality has the opportunity to align a new primary service area responder that is better suited than the current primary service area responder to meet the community's current needs. Such plan shall include the name of a recommended primary service area responder for each category of emergency medical response services.

(b) Not later than forty-five days after a municipality submits an alternative local emergency medical services plan pursuant to the provisions of this section, each new recommended primary service area responder who agrees to be considered for the primary service area designation shall submit an application to the commissioner, on a form prescribed by the commissioner.

(c) (1) The Commissioner of Public Health shall conduct a hearing on any alternative local emergency medical services plan submitted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, including the proposed removal of a primary service area responder and the proposed designation of a new primary service area responder. Not later than thirty days prior to the hearing, the commissioner shall notify the municipality's current primary service area responder, in writing, of the hearing. Such primary service area responder shall be given the opportunity to be heard and may submit information for the commissioner's consideration.

(2) In order to determine whether to approve or disapprove such plan, the commissioner shall consider any relevant factors, including, but not limited to: (A) The impact of the plan on patient care; (B) the impact of the plan on emergency medical services system design, including system sustainability; (C) the impact of the plan on the local, regional and state-wide emergency medical services system; (D) the recommendation from the sponsor hospital's medical oversight staff; and (E) the financial impact to the municipality without compromising the quality of patient care. If the commissioner approves the alternative plan and the application of the recommended primary service area responder, the commissioner shall issue a written decision to reassign the primary service area in accordance with the alternative plan and indicate the effective date for the reassignment. A primary service area responder shall deliver services in accordance with the local emergency medical services plan prepared pursuant to section 19a-181b until the effective date of the reassignment stated in the commissioner's written decision approving the alternative plan.

(P.A. 14-217, S. 22.)