Councilmember Carol Schwartz
A BILL IN THE
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Councilmember Carol Schwartz introduced the following bill, which was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
To establish the District of Columbia Emergency Medical Services Agency as a separate
administrative unit within the executive office of the Mayor.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as
the "District of Columbia Emergency Medical Services Agency Establishment Act of
1999.".
Sec. 2. Definitions.
For the purposes of this act, the term:
(1) "District" means the District of Columbia.
(2) "Director" means the Director of the District of Columbia Emergency
Medical Services Agency.
(3) "Agency" means the District of Columbia Emergency Medical Services
Agency.
Sec. 3. Establishment of the District of Columbia Emergency Medical Services Agency.
(a) Pursuant to section 404(b) of the District of Columbia Self-Government and
Governmental Reorganization Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 787; D.C. Code
§1-227(b), the Council hereby establishes the District of Columbia Emergency Medical
Services Agency as a separate administrative unit within the executive office of the
Mayor.
(b) District of Columbia Emergency Ambulance Service established by
Mayor’s Order 81233(a), effective November 9, 1981, as a division of the Fire Department,
shall be abolished at the completion of the transfer of functions authorized by subsection
(c).
(c) All of the functions related to the powers, duties, operations, and
administration of the District of Columbia Emergency Ambulance Service shall be
transferred to the agency within 90 days of the effective date of this act.
(d) All property, assets, records, obligations, and unexpended balances
of appropriations, allocations, and other funds available or to be made available relating
to the powers, duties, functions, operations, and administration of the District of
Columbia Emergency Ambulance Service shall be transferred to the within 90 days of the
effective date of this act.
(e) All employees of the District of Columbia Emergency Ambulance
Service shall be transferred to the agency and continue to be employees of the District of
Columbia government. The transferred employees shall continue to be eligible for benefits
regarding retirement, workers disability compensation, leave, residency requirements, and
labor union arrangements and agreements as when they were employees of the Fire
Department.
Sec. 4. Duties.
The agency shall provide emergency ambulance treatment and
transportation on demand, and shall operate medic units to provide advanced life support
in cases of severe illness, injury, or major trauma.
Sec. 5. Director
(a) The agency shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Mayor
with the consent of the Council.
(b) Until the Director of the agency is appointed and confirmed
according to subsection (a), the Fire Chief shall continue to govern the agency consistent
with this act.
(c) The Director shall, subject to the supervision and direction of the
Mayor:
(1) Administer, manage, and direct the affairs and activities of the
agency; and
(2) Supervise the staff of the agency, make all final personnel
decisions, and employ other assistants and employees as necessary.
Sec. 6. Conforming Amendment
The Revenue Act for Fiscal Year 1978, effective April 19, 1977 (D.C.
Law 1-124) is amended as follows:
Section 502 (D.C. Code §4-316) is amended by striking the phrase
"Fire Department" and in its place, insert the phrase "District of Columbia
Emergency Medical Services Agency".
Sec. 7. Fiscal Impact
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the Committee Report
as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia
Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(3).
Sec. 8. Effective Date
This act shall take effect upon its enactment (approval by the Mayor,
or in the event of veto by the Mayor, override of the veto by the Council), and approval
by the Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority as provided in section
203(a) of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act
of 1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code §47-392.3(a)), a 60-day period
of Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(2) of the District of Columbia
Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat.
813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(2)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.