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HB 1251INDIANASession 2026State Billpassed both

Passed

Indiana requires counties to provide emergency ambulance services to unserved areas

Original title: Emergency ambulance services.

Last action · February 12, 2026: Senator Bohacek added as third sponsorSponsors: Timothy O'Brien and 7 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Indiana designates emergency medical services as essential services and mandates county commissioners to identify and cover unserved areas by July 1, 2026. Counties may establish services, contract providers, or pass an ordinance to opt out if unable to comply after reasonable efforts. Governing bodies that formally opt out receive immunity from civil liability for personal injury or death resulting from unserved areas.

Why it matters

Residents in rural or previously unserved pockets of Indiana will either gain guaranteed access to emergency ambulance coverage or see their county officially opt out, shifting local liability protections for elected officials.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

county commissioners

County commissioners must identify unserved areas, provide ambulance services, or formally pass an ordinance to opt out.

Directly affected

emergency ambulance service providers

Providers may enter into new contracts or agreements with counties to cover previously unserved areas.

Directly affected

Indiana residents

Residents gain guaranteed access to emergency ambulance services unless their county officially opts out.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are counties required to do under this measure?

Counties must identify areas unserved by emergency ambulance services and provide coverage through county-operated services, contracts, or interlocal agreements.

Can a county decide not to provide these services?

Yes, a governing body may pass an ordinance to opt out of the requirement if it is unable to comply after making every reasonable effort, provided it submits the reasons to the department of homeland security.

What happens if a county opts out of providing emergency ambulance services?

The county, its governing body, and individual members are granted immunity from civil liability for personal injury or death resulting from an area being unserved.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently passed both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

16 actions

Feb 12, 2026Senate
Senator Bohacek added as third sponsor
Feb 12, 2026Senate
Senator Becker added as second sponsor
Feb 12, 2026SenateFloor
Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy
Feb 9, 2026Senate
Senator Ford J.D. added as cosponsor
Feb 5, 2026SenateIntroduced
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government
Feb 3, 2026House
Referred to the Senate

Show 10 earlier actions

Feb 2, 2026House
Senate sponsor: Senator Crider
Feb 2, 2026HouseFloor
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 177: yeas 83, nays 0
Jan 29, 2026HouseFloor
Second reading: ordered engrossed
Jan 27, 2026HouseFloor
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
Jan 15, 2026House
Representatives Gore, Garcia Wilburn added as coauthors
Jan 12, 2026House
Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3
Jan 12, 2026HouseFloor
Committee report: do pass, adopted
Jan 5, 2026HouseIntroduced
First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety
Jan 5, 2026House
Coauthored by Representative Bartels
Jan 5, 2026House
Authored by Representative O'Brien

Version history

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