1. A. SOCALR may waive any equipment requirements under COMAR 30.09 for any commercial ambulance service which is licensed by Maryland or applying for a license, which demonstrates to the satisfaction of SOCALR that the equipment offered by the commercial ambulance service is equivalent to or superior to the equipment required by this subtitle.

2. B. Waiver of Personnel Requirements.

   1. (1) SOCALR may waive any personnel requirements under COMAR 30.09 for any commercial ambulance service which is licensed by Maryland or applying for a license, which demonstrates to the satisfaction of SOCALR that the personnel offered by the commercial ambulance service is equivalent to or superior to the personnel required by this subtitle, except the requirement for a licensed or certified driver for an ambulance, which may only be waived under §B(2) of this regulation.
   2. (2) SOCALR may waive the personnel requirements under COMAR 30.09 for a licensed or certified driver for any commercial ambulance service which is licensed by Maryland or applying for a license. The initial waiver shall be for 1 year, subject to renewal.

   3. (3) A commercial ambulance service seeking or maintaining a waiver of the requirement for a licensed or certified driver for an ambulance under COMAR 30.09 shall meet the following requirements:

      1. (a) Submit to SOCALR with the application and on a monthly basis:

         1. (i) The current number of unit hours staffed over a consecutive 7-day period during the most recent 30 days; and
         2. (ii) The name and address of each non-EMS individual designated by the commercial service to drive an ambulance;
      2. (b) Ensure that each non-EMS individual designated to drive an ambulance possesses a current and valid For-Hire Driver's license issued by the Public Service Commission prior to use of a non-EMS driver on an ambulance;
      3. (c) Provide to SOCALR a photocopy of a current and valid For-Hire Driver's license issued by the Public Service Commission for each non-EMS individual designated to drive an ambulance prior to use of a non-EMS drive on an ambulance;
      4. (d) Ensure that each non-EMS individual designated to drive an ambulance obtains an ePINS number prior to use of a non-EMS driver on an ambulance;

      5. (e) Provide the following training to each non-EMS individual it designates to drive an ambulance prior to use of a non-EMS driver on an ambulance:

         1. (i) COMAR 30.09.02.02 — Patient Rights;
         2. (ii) COMAR 30.09.07.03 — Operational Requirements;
         3. (iii) Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030 to include Personal Protective Equipment and Body Substance Isolation precautions);
         4. (iv) Lifting, moving, or positioning patients, to include stretcher and stair chair operations;
         5. (v) CPR certification training, including the use of an AED; and
         6. (vi) Driver's training program to include safe road operations, ambulance backing, and city driving;
      6. (f) Provide SOCALR with a copy of the training programs required for the non-EMS driver prior to use of a non-EMS driver on an ambulance;

      7. (g) Ensure that any ALS licensed ground ambulance that is staffed with a non-EMS driver is also staffed with at least two individuals who meet the following requirements:

         1. (i) A CRT or higher who is responsible for the patient as described in COMAR 30.09.07.02A(4)(b); and
         2. (ii) An EMT or higher; and

      8. (h) Ensure that any non-EMS individual designated to drive an ambulance:

         1. (i) Is not subject to a current suspension or revocation of EMS licensure or certification; and
         2. (ii) Has not been determined by SOCALR to be a threat to the health and safety of patients or the public.
3. C. A commercial ambulance service seeking a waiver under this regulation shall apply in writing to SOCALR.
4. D. A waiver is not valid unless issued in writing by SOCALR for a specific period of time.
5. E. A commercial ambulance service granted a waiver under this subtitle shall reapply for the waiver 30 days before expiration of the waiver.

6. F. A waiver may be summarily suspended if SOCALR finds the party to whom the waiver has been granted has:

   1. (1) Obtained or attempted to obtain a waiver by fraud or deceit;
   2. (2) Made a material omission or misrepresentation of fact on an application for a waiver;
   3. (3) Made a material omission or misrepresentation of fact in response to an inquiry or investigation by SOCALR;
   4. (4) Defaced, altered, removed, or obliterated any portion of or any official entry on a waiver issued by SOCALR;
   5. (5) Interfered with SOCALR in the performance of SOCALR's duties;
   6. (6) Failed to reapply for a waiver;
   7. (7) Violated any applicable federal, State, or local statute or regulation;
   8. (8) Failed to comply with the terms of the waiver; or
   9. (9) Continued to use a non-EMS driver that SOCALR has determined, in conjunction with the MIEMSS Office of Integrity, to be a threat to the health and safety of patients or the public.
7. G. Failure to comply with the terms of a waiver granted under this regulation may be grounds for further action under COMAR 30.09.09.02.

Authority: Education Article, §§13-508 and 13-515, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: October 12, 1992 (19:20 Md. R. 1816)

Chapter recodified from COMAR 14.22.04 to COMAR 30.09.04, August, 1997

Regulations .01—.02, Advertisement and Licensure Disclosure, repealed effective January 10, 2000 (26:27 Md. R. 2017)

Regulations .01—.07, Eligibility, Application, and License Renewal, adopted effective January 10, 2000 (26:27 Md. R. 2017)

Regulation .02 amended effective October 15, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1486)

Regulation .03B amended effective October 15, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1486)

Regulation .04A, B amended effective October 15, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1486)

Regulation .05 amended effective October 15, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1486)

Regulation .06A amended effective October 15, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1486)

Regulation .07 amended effective January 15, 2005 (31:26 Md. R. 1866)

Regulation .07A amended effective October 15, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1486)

Regulation .08 adopted effective May 14, 2001 (28:9 Md. R. 892)

Regulation .08 amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 657)

Regulation .08B, F amended as an emergency provision effective August 26, 2021 (48:20 Md. R. 850); amended permanently effective January 13, 2022 (49:1 Md. R. 16)

Regulation .08G adopted as an emergency provision effective August 26, 2021 (48:20 Md. R. 850); amended permanently effective January 13, 2022 (49:1 Md. R. 16)