We are pleased to inform you that on Thursday June 1st, the California State Assembly approved AB 263. This requires contracted private sector EMS employers to provide adequate rest and meal breaks to service providers. It will reduce some of the chronic stress that has been shown to lead to higher rates of mental health issues for EMS professionals. The bill also requires the California Emergency Medical Services Authority to produce a report in January of 2019 and annually thereafter on workplace violence faced by EMS workers. United Emergency Medical Services Local 4911 is the primary sponsor of this bill and has made this a key legislative priority for their local, who represents more than 3,500 emergency medical service providers in the private sector.

The bill passed out of the Assembly floor on a 56-17-7 vote. It received bipartisan support. It will now go to the Senate for referral to its first Senate committee.