§1135.3. Ambulance providers; licensure

A. No person, firm, corporation, association, or government entity shall conduct, manage, operate, or maintain an ambulance service in Louisiana without a valid current license from the department, except that no license shall be required for any hospital that operates a vehicle solely for the purpose of moving its own patients between parts of its own campus, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The parts of the hospital's campus are not more than ten miles apart. For the purposes of this Section, "campus" means the grounds and facilities of any licensed hospital operating under the same provider number.

(2) At the time of transport, the patient is attended by at least two individuals who are an emergency medical technician, a licensed practical or registered nurse, or a physician.

(3) The vehicle utilized by the hospital for transport contains the same equipment as is required for a licensed ambulance and successfully completes an inspection by the department to determine that it is in a safe and working order.

B. The application for such license shall be submitted to the department on forms provided for that purpose. The application shall provide documentation that the applicant meets the appropriate requirements for an ambulance provider as specified by regulations promulgated by the department under the Administrative Procedure Act.

C. An applicant seeking licensure as an ambulance provider shall:

(1) Submit a completed application to the department on such forms and including such information and supporting documentation as required by the department. Such information shall include:

(a) A notarized certificate of insurance verifying that the provider has the legally mandated insurance coverage.

(b) Proof that the provider has a medical director and that such director is a physician licensed to practice medicine by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

(c) All medical protocols signed by the physician-medical director with their prescribed approvals by the parish or component medical society.

(d) Copies of personnel certifications. However, the department may provide for inspection and review of these certifications at an applicant's offices by prior agreement between the applicant and the department.

(e) For those providers providing advanced life support, verification that the provider possesses a Louisiana Controlled Substance License and a United States Drug Enforcement Administration Controlled Substance Registration.

(2) Submit to a background investigation which includes but is not limited to fingerprinting and a criminal history check by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police.

(3) Successfully complete an inspection by the department which includes the following:

(a) An inspection of all vehicles to determine that they are in safe and working order and that they are equipped with all of the prescribed medical equipment as required by this Section and R.S. 40:1135.1 and 1135.2. What is safe and working order shall be determined pursuant to provisions of Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 and the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Inspection Manual in addition to the provisions of this Section and R.S. 40:1135.1 and 1135.2. Each vehicle successfully completing the inspection shall receive a permit authorizing it to be operated as part of the applicant's service.

(b) An inspection of all personnel certifications to verify that they meet the requirements of law.

(c) Inspection and, when deemed necessary by the department, verification of the information provided as required by Paragraph (1) of this Subsection and that such information remains current.

(d) Verification that the provider has complied with all applicable federal, state, and local statutes, rules, and regulations, and that the provider has obtained all necessary and applicable licenses, permits, and certifications, including certificates of need or certificates of public convenience and necessity.

(e) For those providers providing advanced life support, verification that the provider possesses a Louisiana Controlled Substance License and a United States Drug Enforcement Administration Controlled Substance Registration.

D. If an applicant's background investigation indicates that the applicant has a felony conviction or has had any license pertaining to the provision of emergency medical services revoked in another jurisdiction, then the license may be denied.

E. In order to renew an ambulance provider license, the applicant shall:

(1) Submit a renewal application to the department not more than thirty days prior to expiration of the license.

(2) Provide any required documentation.

(3) Successfully complete a review of any required documentation and any inspection or verification of any documentation of any vehicle as deemed appropriate by the department.

F. Intentional falsification of material information provided pursuant to this Section shall be grounds for immediate revocation of any license granted pursuant to this Section.

G. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Section shall constitute grounds for probation or license suspension or revocation in accordance with rules and regulations established pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.

H. Any person whose license has been revoked, suspended, or denied by the department shall have the right to have the proceedings of the department reviewed by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided that such appeal is made within thirty days after the notice of the decision of the department. If an appeal is granted, the decision of the department shall not be implemented until a decision affirming the department decision is rendered on judicial review. The department's decision shall remain in force until an appeal is granted unless the court orders a stay. Judicial review shall be by trial de novo.

I. Any entity currently certified to provide ambulance services in Louisiana shall not be required to be licensed by the state in order to maintain certification for a period of one year after July 15, 1999, in order to continue providing such services.

Acts 1999, No. 1113, §1; Acts 2001, No. 517, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §14; Acts 2003, No. 751, §1, eff. June 27, 2003; Acts 2006, No. 450, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 40:1235.2 by HCR 84 of 2015 R.S.