Existing law establishes the Emergency Medical Services Authority, and requires the authority to be headed by a director who is a licensed physician and surgeon with substantial experience in the practice of emergency medicine.

This bill would remove the requirement that the director be a licensed physician and surgeon with substantial experience in the practice of emergency medicine and would instead require the director to have substantial experience in emergency medicine, emergency medical services, emergency management, or other related background. The bill would require the authority to have a chief medical officer who is appointed by the Governor upon nomination by the Secretary of California Health and Human Services. The bill would require the chief medical officer to be a physician and surgeon who has substantial experience in the practice of emergency medicine. The bill would require the chief medical officer to direct clinical, treatment, education, and other matters involving medical decisionmaking and delivery of patient care, as specified.