(a) As used in this section, “emergency medical services provider” means a provider licensed or certified under chapter 368d.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2018, and annually thereafter, the Department of Public Health shall send a list of each hospital designated under § 19a-490w as a comprehensive stroke center, primary stroke center or acute stroke-ready center to the medical director of each emergency medical services provider in the state. The Department of Public Health shall maintain a copy of the list in the Office of Emergency Medical Services.

(c) Not later than January 1, 2018, the Connecticut Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board Committee, established under § 19a-178a, shall recommend to the Commissioner of Public Health, for adoption, a nationally recognized standardized stroke triage assessment tool and prehospital care protocols related to the assessment, treatment and transport of stroke patients. Not later than thirty days after receiving recommendations regarding the stroke triage assessment tool and prehospital care protocols, the Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt such stroke triage assessment tool and post such assessment tool and protocols on its Internet web site. The commissioner may make any modifications to such assessment tool as the commissioner deems necessary. The department shall distribute a copy of the stroke triage assessment tool and prehospital care protocols to each emergency medical services provider. Upon receipt of such assessment tool and protocols, each emergency medical services provider shall develop plans to implement such assessment tool and protocols for the triage and transport of acute stroke patients.