Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 682 — Ambulance Services; Emergency Medical Services
112 sections682.015 [Formerly 823.010; renumbered 682.051 in 2003]
GENERAL PROVISIONS
682.017 Rules
The Oregon Health Authority shall adopt rules in accordance with ORS chapter 183 that include, but are not limited to: Requirements relating to the types and numbers of emergency vehicles, including supplies and equipment carried. Requirements for the operation and coordination of ambulances and other emergency care systems. Criteria for the use of two-wa…
682.019 Receipt and disbursement of federal funds
The Oregon Health Authority may receive and disburse such federal funds as may be available for carrying out any of the provisions of ORS 820.330 to 820.380 or this chapter.
682.020 [Amended by 1961 c.248 §2; 1969 c.276 §2; 1983 c.486 §60; renumbered 677.810]
682.025 Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise: “Ambulance” or “ambulance vehicle” means a privately or publicly owned motor vehicle, aircraft or watercraft that is regularly provided or offered to be provided for the emergency transportation of persons who are ill or injured or who have disabilities. “Ambulance service” means a person, gov…
682.027 Definition of “ambulance services” for ORS 682.031, 682.062 and 682.066
As used in ORS 682.031, 682.062 and 682.066, “ambulance services” includes the transportation of an individual who is ill or injured or who has a disability in an ambulance and, in connection therewith, the administration of prehospital and out-of-hospital medical, emergency or nonemergency care, if necessary.
682.028 False statements and misrepresentations regarding license prohibited
A person or governmental unit may not: Intentionally make any false statement on an application for an ambulance service license, ambulance vehicle license or for licensure as an emergency medical services provider or on any other documents required by the Oregon Health Authority; or Make any misrepresentation in seeking to obtain or retain a license. A v…
682.030 [Renumbered 677.815]
682.031 Local ordinances regulating ambulances and emergency medical services providers
As used in this section, “political subdivision” includes counties, cities, districts, authorities and other public corporations and entities organized and existing under statute or charter. An ordinance of any political subdivision regulating ambulance services or emergency medical services providers may not require less than is required under ORS 820.300 …
682.035 Application of ORS chapter 682
ORS 820.330 to 820.380 and this chapter do not apply to: Ambulances owned by or operated, and emergency medical service providers who operate, under the control of the United States Government. Vehicles being used to render temporary assistance in the case of a major catastrophe or emergency with which the ambulance services of the surrounding locality are…
682.037 [1997 c.208 §1; renumbered 682.056 in 2003]
682.039 [Formerly 682.195; 2009 c.595 §1068; 2011 c.703 §6; 2017 c.101 §31; 2019 c.456 §53; repealed by 2024 c.32 §28]
682.040 [Amended by 1961 c.248 §3; 1969 c.276 §3; 1973 c.827 §70; renumbered 677.820]
AMBULANCE SERVICES
682.041 Legislative intent regarding regulation of ambulance services
The Legislative Assembly declares that the regulation of ambulance services and the establishment of ambulance service areas are important functions of counties, cities and rural fire protection districts in this state. It is the intent of the Legislative Assembly in ORS 478.260, 682.027, 682.031, 682.041, 682.062, 682.063 and 682.066 to affirm the authority…
682.043 [Formerly 682.325; renumbered 682.027 in 2005]
682.045 Licenses; form and contents; future responsibility filing
A license for an ambulance service or the operation of ambulance vehicles shall be obtained from the Oregon Health Authority. Applications for licenses shall be upon forms prescribed by the authority and shall contain: The name and address of the person or governmental unit owning the ambulance service or vehicle. If other than the applicant’s true name, …
682.047 Issuance of license; duration; transferability; display; replacement; fees; rules
The Oregon Health Authority shall issue a license to the owner of an ambulance service, or the owner of an ambulance, that applies for a license under ORS 682.045 if the authority finds that the ambulance service or ambulance complies with the requirements of ORS 820.350 to 820.380 and this chapter and the rules adopted under ORS 820.350 to 820.380 and this …
682.050 [Amended by 1953 c.525 §6; 1969 c.276 §4; 1981 c.339 §7; 1983 c.486 §61; renumbered 677.825]
682.051 Unlawful operation of unlicensed ambulance vehicle or unlicensed ambulance service; penalty
A person or governmental unit commits the offense of unlawful operation of an unlicensed ambulance or the offense of unlawful operation of an unlicensed ambulance service if the person or governmental unit advertises or operates in this state a motor vehicle, aircraft or watercraft ambulance that: Is not operated by an ambulance service licensed under this …
682.055 [1969 c.276 §6; renumbered 677.830]
682.056 Patient encounter data reporting; availability of patient outcome data; use of data; rules
Ambulance services shall report patient encounter data to the emergency medical services data system established under ORS 682.533 for each patient care event in accordance with rules adopted by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 682.017. The patient outcome data described in subsection (3) of this section about a patient who an ambulance service transpo…
682.059 Online publication of annual report
The Oregon Health Authority shall make publicly available on a website operated by or on behalf of the authority an annual report of the data collected by the authority under ORS 682.056. The authority shall consult with the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board to determine the data to include in the report required under this section. The report requ…
682.060 [Renumbered 677.835]
682.062 County plan for ambulance and emergency medical services; rules
Each county shall develop a plan for the county or two or more contiguous counties may develop a plan relating to the need for and coordination of ambulance services and establish one or more ambulance service areas consistent with the plan for the efficient and effective provision of ambulance services. Each person, city or rural fire protection district w…
682.063 Requirements for adoption and review of ambulance service plan by counties
In addition to the other requirements of ORS 682.031 and 682.062, when initially adopting a plan for ambulance services and ambulance service areas under ORS 682.062 or upon any subsequent review of the plan, a county shall: Consider any and all proposals for providing ambulance services that are submitted by a person or governmental unit or a combination t…
682.065 [1969 c.276 §7; 1983 c.486 §62; renumbered 677.840]
682.066 Provision of ambulance services when county plan not adopted
When a county plan is not adopted for a county under ORS 682.062, a person or governmental unit may provide ambulance services within the county. A city or rural fire protection district may provide such services within and outside the city or district boundaries in accordance with policies adopted by the governing body of the city or district, including ope…
682.068 Minimum requirements for vehicles and services; rules
The Oregon Health Authority, in consultation with the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, shall adopt rules specifying minimum requirements for ambulance services, and for staffing and medical and communications equipment requirements for all types of ambulances. The rules must define the requirements for advanced life support and basic life support u…
682.070 [Amended by 1979 c.142 §2; repealed by 1983 c.486 §68]
682.071 Exchange of services agreement for ambulance and emergency medical services
A city, rural fire protection district or rural ambulance district providing transportation services through use of licensed ambulances that either individually or jointly accept prepayment from persons within their service areas for ambulance and emergency medical services, or ambulance services only, but not for other health care services, and a for-profit…
682.075 Ambulance construction, maintenance and operation; compliance requirements; rules
Subject to any law or rule pursuant thereto relating to the construction or equipment of ambulances, the Oregon Health Authority shall, with the advice of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board and in accordance with ORS chapter 183, adopt and when necessary amend or repeal rules relating to the construction, maintenance, capacity, sanitation, emergen…
682.079 Power of Oregon Health Authority to grant exemptions or variances; rules
The Oregon Health Authority may grant exemptions or variances from one or more of the requirements of ORS 820.330 to 820.380 or this chapter or the rules adopted under ORS 820.330 to 820.380 or this chapter to any class of vehicles if the authority finds that compliance with the requirement or requirements is inappropriate: Because special circumstances exi…
682.080 [Amended by 1971 c.621 §41; 1975 c.607 §45; 1979 c.114 §3; renumbered 677.845]
682.085 Inspection of ambulance vehicles and services; suspension or revocation of license
The Oregon Health Authority or its authorized representatives may at reasonable times inspect ambulances and ambulance services licensed or subject to being licensed under this chapter. The authority may suspend or revoke a license if the ambulance service owner fails to take corrective action required pursuant to an inspection of an ambulance or ambulance …
682.089 Replacement of one ambulance service by another
When a city, county or district requires an ambulance service currently operating within the city, county or district to be replaced by another public or private ambulance service, the city, county or district shall provide that: Emergency medical services provider staffing is maintained at least at the levels established in the local plan for ambulance ser…
682.090 [Amended by 1953 c.525 §6; 1955 c.135 §1; 1965 c.47 §1; 1969 c.276 §8; 1975 c.697 §4; 1979 c.114 §1; 1981 c.339 §8; 1983 c.486 §63; renumbered 677.850]
682.095 [1975 c.697 §2; repealed by 1983 c.486 §68]
682.100 [Repealed by 1981 c.339 §19]
682.105 Proof of financial responsibility required to obtain license; amounts; form of proof
In order to secure and retain a license under this chapter, the owner of an ambulance or ambulance service, other than a governmental unit, shall file and maintain with the Oregon Health Authority proof of ability to respond in damages for liability arising from the ownership, operation, use or maintenance of the ambulance, or arising from the delivery of pr…
682.107 Form of insurance used to satisfy financial responsibility requirement; cancellation or termination; coverage; multiple insurers
When insurance is the method chosen to prove financial responsibility, the certificate of insurance shall be signed by an authorized company representative and shall contain the following information: The date on which the policy was issued. The name and address of the named insured. The policy number. The amount of coverage in terms of the liability lim…
682.109 Bonds, letters of credit or certificates of deposit used to prove financial responsibility
ORS 682.111 to 682.117 apply to a bond, letter of credit or certificate evidencing deposit with the Oregon Health Authority that is the method chosen to prove financial responsibility under this chapter. The dollar amounts required for the bonds, letters of credit or deposits shall be $320,000.
682.110 [Amended by 1953 c.525 §6; 1969 c.276 §9; 1979 c.744 §55; repealed by 1981 c.339 §19]
682.111 Requirements for bonds
A bond used to comply with financial responsibility requirements under this chapter must meet all of the following requirements: The bond must be in the amount required by ORS 682.109. The bond must be approved by a judge of a court of record in this state. The bond must contain a provision that it cannot be canceled except upon the giving of 10 days’ pri…
682.113 Action against surety on bond by judgment creditor
If a judgment rendered against the principal on a bond described under ORS 682.111 is not settled within 60 days after it has become final, a judgment creditor, for the judgment creditor’s own use and benefit and at the judgment creditor’s sole expense, may bring an action against any surety on the bond. An action brought under this section must be brought i…
682.115 [1971 c.734 §126; repealed by 1981 c.339 §19]
682.117 Methods of satisfying financial responsibility requirements; use of deposit
A person may satisfy the financial responsibility requirements of ORS 682.105 by depositing with the Oregon Health Authority the following: Cash; Legally issued general obligations of the United States, the agencies and instrumentalities of the United States and the States of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California; Certificates of deposit or other simil…
682.120 [Repealed by 1969 c.276 §10 (682.125 enacted in lieu of 682.120 and 682.130)]
682.125 [1969 c.276 §11 (enacted in lieu of 682.120 and 682.130); repealed by 1971 c.734 §21]
682.130 [Repealed by 1969 c.276 §10 (682.125 enacted in lieu of 682.120 and 682.130)]
682.135 [Formerly 823.130; renumbered 682.204 in 2003]
682.140 [Repealed by 1981 c.339 §19]
682.145 [Formerly 823.140; 1997 c.637 §§2,2a; renumbered 682.208 in 2003]
682.150 [Amended by 1961 c.248 §4; 1969 c.276 §12; 1971 c.650 §31; 1973 c.289 §1; 1981 c.339 §9; renumbered 677.855]
682.155 [Formerly 823.145; 1997 c.751 §3; renumbered 682.212 in 2003]
682.157 [Formerly 823.150; 1997 c.637 §4; 1997 c.751 §4; renumbered 682.216 in 2003]
682.160 [Amended by 1953 c.525 §6; 1975 c.697 §5; 1979 c.114 §2; 1981 c.339 §10; 1983 c.486 §64; renumbered 677.860]
682.165 [1975 c.697 §3; repealed by 1983 c.486 §68]
682.170 [Amended by 1967 c.15 §2; 1969 c.276 §13; 1969 c.314 §83; renumbered 677.865]
682.175 [Formerly 823.160; 1997 c.637 §5; 1997 c.751 §5; 1997 c.791 §33; 1999 c.554 §1; 2001 c.691 §1; renumbered 682.220 in 2003]
682.180 [Repealed by 1969 c.317 §2]
682.185 [Formerly 823.165; 1997 c.637 §6; 2001 c.691 §2; renumbered 682.224 in 2003]
682.190 [Amended by 1953 c.525 §6; 1955 c.135 §2; 1957 c.700 §1; 1967 c.637 §30; 1969 c.276 §14; repealed by 1973 c.427 §22 (682.191 enacted in lieu of 682.190)]
682.191 [1973 c.427 §23 (enacted in lieu of 682.190); 1983 c.486 §65; renumbered 677.870]
682.195 [Formerly 823.170; 1997 c.660 §1; 1997 c.751 §6; 1999 c.1056 §7; renumbered 682.039 in 2003]
682.200 [Amended by 1961 c.248 §5; renumbered 677.875]
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDERS
682.204 License requirement; defense to charge of activity by unlicensed person; exemptions from license requirement
A person may not act as an emergency medical services provider unless the person is licensed under this chapter. A person or governmental unit which operates an ambulance may not authorize a person to act for it as an emergency medical services provider unless the emergency medical services provider is licensed under this chapter. A person or governmental …
682.205 [Formerly 823.180; renumbered 682.062 in 2003]
682.208 License; training and educational requirements
A person desiring to be licensed as an emergency medical services provider shall submit an application for licensure to the Oregon Health Authority. The application must be upon forms prescribed by the authority and must contain: The name and address of the applicant. The name and location of the training course successfully completed by the applicant and …
682.210 [Renumbered 677.880]
682.212 Application fee; examination fee
An applicant for an emergency medical services provider license shall submit a nonrefundable application fee with the initial application. In addition, an applicant shall submit a nonrefundable examination fee for the following purposes: Emergency medical services provider written examination; Emergency medical services provider practical examination; and …
682.215 [Formerly 823.190; renumbered 682.017 in 2003]
682.216 Issuance of licenses; fees; provisional license; license by indorsement; continuing education; renewal; rules; driver license requirement
When application has been made as required under ORS 682.208, the Oregon Health Authority shall license the applicant as an emergency medical services provider if it finds: The applicant has successfully completed a training course approved by the authority. The applicant meets the physical and mental qualifications required under ORS 682.208. No matter h…
682.218 Substitute for education requirements for license by indorsement; rules
The Oregon Health Authority shall adopt rules to allow an applicant for licensure by indorsement as an emergency medical services provider to substitute experience and certification by a national registry of emergency medical services providers for education requirements imposed by the authority.
682.220 Denial, suspension or revocation of license; investigation; confidentiality of information
The Oregon Health Authority may deny, suspend or revoke licenses for ambulances and ambulance services in accordance with the provisions of ORS chapter 183 for a failure to comply with any of the requirements of ORS 820.350 to 820.380 and this chapter or the rules adopted thereunder. The license of an emergency medical services provider may be denied, suspe…
682.224 Discipline; purpose; civil penalty
The Oregon Health Authority may discipline, as provided in this section, an ambulance service or an emergency medical services provider who has: Admitted the facts of a complaint that alleges facts that establish that the emergency medical services provider is guilty of one or more of the grounds for suspension or revocation of a license as set forth in ORS…
682.225 [Formerly 823.200; 1997 c.751 §7; renumbered 682.068 in 2003]
682.235 [Formerly 823.204; repealed by 1997 c.249 §209]
682.245 Scope of practice of emergency medical services providers; qualifications of supervising physician; rules
The Oregon Medical Board shall adopt by rule a scope of practice for each level of emergency medical services provider established by the Oregon Health Authority pursuant to ORS 682.017. The board shall adopt by rule standards for the qualifications and responsibilities of supervising physicians. The standing orders for emergency medical services providers…
682.255 [Formerly 823.210; renumbered 682.028 in 2003]
682.265 Prohibition against misleading actions regarding qualifications
An emergency medical services provider may not mislead any person as to the qualifications of the emergency medical services provider.
682.275 [Formerly 823.220; renumbered 682.031 in 2003]
682.285 [Formerly 823.230; renumbered 682.079 in 2003]
682.295 [Formerly 823.240; renumbered 682.019 in 2003]
682.305 [Formerly 823.250; renumbered 682.089 in 2003]
682.315 [Formerly 823.300; renumbered 682.041 in 2003]
682.325 [Formerly 823.305; 1997 c.637 §3; renumbered 682.043 in 2003]
682.335 [Formerly 823.310; 2003 c.14 §434; renumbered 682.063 in 2003]
682.345 [Formerly 823.315; 2003 c.14 §435; renumbered 682.066 in 2003]
682.355 [Formerly 823.320; renumbered 682.071 in 2003]
MISCELLANEOUS (Emergency Medical Services Transport Reimbursement)
682.400 Emergency medical services transport reimbursement program
As used in this section: “Emergency medical services” means the services provided by an emergency medical services provider to an individual experiencing a medical emergency in order to: Assess, treat and stabilize the individual’s medical condition; or Prepare and transport the individual to a medical facility. “Emergency medical services provider” mean…
682.403 Emergency Medical Services Fund
The Emergency Medical Services Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. The Emergency Medical Services Fund consists of moneys collected by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 682.400 (3). Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the authority for the purposes of: Providing grants to emergency medi…
682.410 Emergency transportation of police dog
Notwithstanding any local law to the contrary, an emergency medical services provider may provide emergency transportation for treatment to a police dog that is injured in the line of duty, provided that such transportation for treatment does not delay or otherwise interfere with the emergency transportation for treatment of any human. As used in this secti…
682.415 Organ transport vehicle license; driver requirements; rules
An organ transport vehicle may not operate in this state unless the organ transport vehicle is licensed under this section. The Oregon Health Authority shall issue an organ transport vehicle license to an organ procurement organization, as defined in ORS 97.953, that: Applies to the authority as required by the authority by rule; Demonstrates that the org…
682.500 Emergency Medical Services Program; administration; State EMS Medical Director; Oregon Health Authority duties; rules
The Emergency Medical Services Program is established within the Oregon Health Authority for the purpose of administering a comprehensive statewide emergency medical services system developed by the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board and focused on emergency medical services and time-sensitive emergencies. The system includes: The development of stat…
682.503 Emergency Medical Services Program duties; reporting
The Emergency Medical Services Program, with the advice of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, the Time-Sensitive Medical Emergencies Advisory Committee, the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, the Pediatric Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee and the Behavioral Health Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, shall: Coo…
682.506 Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board; membership; rules
The Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board is established within the Oregon Health Authority. The authority shall provide staffing for the board. The board consists of 19 members appointed by the Director of the Oregon Health Authority. Of the members of the board: The State EMS Medical Director of the Emergency Medical Services Program is an ex officio …
682.509 Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board duties; subcommittees; advisory committees
The Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board shall provide advice and recommendations to the Emergency Medical Services Program on the following: A definition of “patient” for purposes of time-sensitive medical emergencies, pediatric medical emergencies and behavioral health medical emergencies; Evidence-based practices and standards for emergency medical…
682.512 Time-Sensitive Medical Emergencies Advisory Committee; membership; duties; Oregon Health Authority rules
The Time-Sensitive Medical Emergencies Advisory Committee is established in the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. The committee shall consist of members determined by the board and the Oregon Health Authority and must include at least: One member who is a physician who practices general surgery and specializes in the treatment of trauma patients; …
682.515 Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee; membership; duties; Oregon Health Authority rules
The Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee is established in the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. The committee shall consist of members determined by the board and the Oregon Health Authority and must include at least: One member who is a physician licensed under ORS chapter 677 who practices emergency medicine or emergency medical service…
682.518 Pediatric Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee; membership; duties; Oregon Health Authority rules
The Pediatric Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee is established in the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. The committee shall consist of members determined by the board and the Oregon Health Authority and must include at least: Two members who are physicians specializing in the treatment of pediatric emergency patients; One member who is…
682.521 Behavioral Health Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee; membership; duties; Oregon Health Authority rules
The Behavioral Health Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee is established in the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. The committee shall consist of members determined by the board and the Oregon Health Authority and must include at least: Two members who are physicians specializing in the treatment of time-sensitive behavioral health medical…
682.524 Long Term Care and Senior Care Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee; membership; duties; Oregon Health Authority rules
The Long Term Care and Senior Care Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee is established in the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. The committee shall consist of members determined by the board and the Oregon Health Authority and must include at least: One member who is a physician licensed under ORS chapter 677 who practices emergency medici…
682.527 Nationally recognized classification standards for, and categorization and designation of, emergency medical services centers; Oregon Health Authority rules
The Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, upon the advice of the Time-Sensitive Medical Emergencies Advisory Committee, the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, the Pediatric Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee and the Behavioral Health Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, shall determine the nationally recognized classific…
682.530 Emergency medical services regions; regional emergency medical services advisory boards, membership; regional emergency medical services system plans; rules
The Oregon Health Authority shall, with the advice of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, designate emergency medical services regions that are consistent with local resources, geography, current patient referral patterns and existing regionalized health care structures and networks. The authority and the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board …
682.533 Emergency medical services data system; reporting; system requirements; access to data; rules
The Emergency Medical Services Program, upon the recommendation of the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, shall establish and maintain an emergency medical services data system. In formulating recommendations, the board shall consider the advice of the Time-Sensitive Medical Emergencies Advisory Committee, the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Comm…
682.536 Emergency Medical Services Program internal data system
The Emergency Medical Services Program may create internal data systems in addition to the emergency medical services data system established and maintained under ORS 682.533. The program may not require: An emergency medical services center to adopt and use an internal data system created under this section. Reporting of data that is not otherwise require…
682.539 Confidentiality of data; information protection
All findings and conclusions, interviews, reports, studies, communications and statements procured or provided by the Oregon Health Authority, the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board or a regional emergency medical services advisory board in connection with obtaining data necessary to perform patient care quality assurance functions are confidential pu…
682.542 Compliance with classification standards, regional emergency medical services plans; Emergency Medical Services Program grants, other grants
The Emergency Medical Services Program shall establish an incentive structure to encourage compliance with the classification standards described in ORS 682.527 and the regional emergency medical services system plans established under ORS 682.530. The structure must specify that: Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, any statewide grant…
682.545 Immunity from civil, criminal liability
An emergency medical services provider may not be held liable for acting in accordance with approved emergency medical services plans. A person who in good faith provides information to an emergency medical services data system is immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed with respect to provision of the informa…
682.990 [Renumbered 677.990 (4)]
PENALTIES
682.991 Civil and criminal penalties
Violation of any provision of ORS 682.028, 682.047 (5) or 682.204 is a Class A misdemeanor. Each day of continuing violation shall be considered a separate offense. Violation of any provision of this chapter is a misdemeanor. In any prosecution for such violation it shall be sufficient to sustain a conviction to show a single act of conduct in violation of …