1. (a) Not later than July 1, 2018, the commission shall:

   1. (1) evaluate the use in Indiana of air ambulance services on patient outcomes; and

   2. (2) develop and recommend statewide standards for the activation and use of air ambulance services;

      not including air ambulance services used for transferring patients between health facilities. In performing its duties under this section, the commission shall reevaluate Indiana's adopted triage and transportation protocols for the transportation of trauma patients. The division of trauma and injury prevention of the state department shall assist the commission.

2. (b) The goal of the standards for activation and use of air ambulance services developed by the commission must be to:

   1. (1) prevent the overuse of air ambulance services for emergency scene response and patient transport;

   2. (2) provide consistent and appropriate criteria for emergency medical responders to use when determining whether to:

      1. (A) request an emergency scene response by an air ambulance provider; and
      2. (B) transport patients by air or by ground transport from the emergency scene to appropriate hospitals or trauma centers; and
   3. (3) provide appropriate, quality prehospital or pretrauma center patient care.
3. (c) The commission shall review and update the standards at least once every three (3) years.

As added by P.L.100-2017, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.56-2023, SEC.151.