STATEHOUSE (Jan. 12, 2026) – A bill authored by State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) that would classify emergency medical services as essential under Indiana law recently passed out of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee.
O’Brien said House Bill 1251 passed the committee unanimously, receiving bipartisan support.
HB 1215 formally recognizes EMS as an essential public service, like police and fire departments. O’Brien said during a committee hearing that this classification makes a clear and important statement— ambulance services are not optional or secondary, but a critical public safety mechanism.
“By formally recognizing EMS as an essential service, we are giving communities the tools they need to better support first responders, strengthen response times and ensure Hoosiers can count on help when it matters most,” O’Brien said. “I am thrilled to see so many in support of making this change and creating a more reliable emergency response system for all Hoosiers.”
O’Brien said his bill would also have county commissioners identify underserved areas and contract with providers to establish EMS services.
O’Brien authored a law in 2024 to have the Indiana Department of Homeland Security conduct a comprehensive overview of EMS services across the state. The report found significant gaps in EMS staffing levels across districts, notable variation in basic and advanced life support services across counties, including no coverage in some townships, and difficulty recruiting and retaining EMS workers in certain areas.
