Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows (continued from April 6, 2021 - Item No. 71):
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES; AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 3½ OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES ("CODE"); AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE; CLARIFYING AN EXEMPTION FOR VEHICLES OWNED AND OPERATED BY HOSPITALS; AMENDING APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION LICENSE; AMENDING PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS FOR NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION; AMENDING REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES PROVIDING NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
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Why Action is Necessary
A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners at its meeting of March 9, 2021.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the Board to consider enacting an Ordinance addressing nonemergency medical transportation services.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
This item supports the Board Value, "Consistently delivering responsive, efficient, quality services to the public and internal customers," and the Board Goal, "Build into every process effective checks and balances that do not cause inefficiency, but rather ensure consistency, continuity, and quality."
Chapter 3½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances ("Code") requires that every person or entity (including a governmental entity) that provides emergency life support services within Broward County, including Advanced Life Support ("ALS") or Basic Life Support ("BLS"), obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from Broward County. Every person or entity that provides nonemergency medical transportation services within Broward County must also obtain a license from Broward County.
In addition to a number of small changes, the proposed Ordinance clarifies the definition of nonemergency medical transportation service and modifies the required application information for nonemergency medical transportation licenses to conform to the more limited information it has been determined is actually needed by the County. The proposed Ordinance also clarifies that vehicles owned and operated directly by hospitals are exempt from the licensing requirements, provided the hospitals do not charge an additional fee for the transport. Finally, the proposed Ordinance updates the requirements for vehicles used for nonemergency medical transportation, including that vehicles used to transport individuals in wheelchairs must have a lift or ramp that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and vehicles used to transport individuals on stretchers must adequately secure the fasteners for the stretchers to the vehicle and use the stretchers in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
This item was continued from the April 6, 2021, public hearing.
Source of Additional Information
Adam M. Katzman, Senior Assistant County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget is attached as Exhibit 2.