Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross bill to strengthen support for Maine’s emergency medical services advances with committee support

Posted: May 15, 2025 | Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Senator Talbot Ross

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, May 15, the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety voted to advance legislation from Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, to implement key recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services in the State. LD 245, “An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services in the State,” seeks to improve planning, coordination and accountability in Maine’s EMS system.

“EMS providers across the state are sounding the alarm, and this legislation responds directly to what we heard from them,” said Sen. Talbot Ross during the public hearing. “The people who are first to respond in our greatest moments of need deserve a system that supports them, and every community deserves timely, reliable emergency care.”

LD 245 is the result of months of study and testimony by the Blue Ribbon Commission on EMS, which Sen. Talbot Ross co-chaired. EMS providers, municipal officials and public safety experts from across the state testified about growing challenges — including workforce shortages, rising costs and inadequate coordination — that threaten the stability of Maine’s emergency medical services system.

The original bill includes several additional provisions to address long-term EMS needs in Maine, including:

  • Establishing a permanent Maine Emergency Medical Services Commission to monitor the EMS system and recommend improvements;
  • Directing a funding needs analysis to evaluate gaps and support regional collaboration;
  • Requesting a structural reorganization proposal for Maine EMS; and
  • Developing a public awareness campaign to educate the public and support workforce recruitment and retention.

As amended by the committee, the bill would require all municipalities to adopt a plan outlining how transporting emergency medical services are delivered in their communities. The amendment also removes a section of the bill related to EMS provider operations within health care facilities.

The bill now heads to the full Senate and House for consideration.

Sen. Talbot Ross is serving her first term in the Maine Senate, representing part of her hometown of Portland and Peaks Island. She serves as the Senate Chair of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and sits on the Judiciary Committee.