(a) It is the intention of the Legislature to permit individuals who have been certified as emergency medical services personnel in a state bordering West Virginia to serve as emergency medical services personnel in West Virginia.

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 16-4C-8a

  • Bureau: means the Bureau for Public Health in the department. See West Virginia Code 16-1-2
  • Commissioner: means the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health. See West Virginia Code 16-4C-3
  • Emergency Medical Services: means all services which are set forth in Public Law 93-154 "The Emergency Medical Services Systems Act of 1973" and those included in and made a part of the emergency medical services plan of the Department of Health and Human Resources inclusive of, but not limited to, responding to the medical needs of an individual to prevent the loss of life or aggravation of illness or injury. See West Virginia Code 16-4C-3
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10

(b) Beginning July 1, 2018, the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health shall establish a process by which a courtesy certification to serve as an emergency medical responder or emergency medical technician in this state may be issued to any person who satisfies the following requirements:

(1) Is certified as an emergency medical responder or emergency medical technician, or a similar certification, in good standing in a state bordering West Virginia;

(2) Complies with the application process and procedures established by the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health; and

(3) Submits any required fee.

(c) Issuance of a courtesy certification shall not be withheld by the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health based on an individual’s failure to satisfy the minimum eligibility requirements for emergency medical services personnel set forth in legislative rules promulgated pursuant to § 16-4C-6 of this code.

(d) The Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of § 29A-3-1 et seq. of this code to implement the provisions of this section.

(e) Any courtesy certification issued pursuant to this section may be revoked at any time if the individual’s certification in the bordering state is restricted, revoked, or otherwise expires.

(f) Any courtesy certification issued pursuant to this section must be renewed biennially.