San Andreas Medical Services (SAMS) Authority & Operations Act
State of San Andreas – State Register of Laws
Introduction
The purpose of this legislation is to define the authority, responsibilities, medical governance, operational scope, hospital obligations, surgical practice provisions, and rescue jurisdiction of San Andreas Medical Services (SAMS). This Act establishes SAMS as the State’s primary emergency medical, hospital care, and aero-medical provider, ensuring the delivery of professional, ethical, and effective healthcare across the State of San Andreas.
Constitutional Justification
Right to Health: Guarantees access to professional medical treatment, emergency care, and continued hospital services.
Right to Life and Safety: Requires the State to maintain systems capable of preserving life at all stages—from emergency response to in-hospital care.
Right to Public Protection: Authorises coordinated medical, rescue, and aero-medical services during emergencies and critical incidents.
Right to Refusal of Treatment: Recognises that all competent individuals maintain the constitutional right to decline medical treatment, examination, transport, or hospital care, except where lawful exceptions apply.
Right to a Safe Working Environment (SAMS): Ensures that medical professionals are not required to provide treatment when they are subjected to abuse, threats, violence, or behaviour that compromises their safety. SAMS personnel may lawfully withdraw, delay, or refuse non-life-saving treatment when continuing would endanger staff, other patients, or public safety. If such refusal occurs, the individual may still obtain medical assistance by attending Pillbox Hospital and speaking with Nurse Nancy at the front desk for alternative treatment.
Section 1 – Definitions
San Andreas Medical Authority (SAMA):
The San Andreas Medical Authority (SAMA) is the State’s governing body for all clinical, hospital, surgical, and emergency medical standards. Operating under the Department of Justice, SAMA functions as the central regulatory authority responsible for licensing, oversight, and compliance across all SAMS operations and associated medical divisions. SAMA is empowered to issue directives, establish statewide medical policy, regulate healthcare practice, and ensure all SAMS personnel and facilities adhere to statutory medical, ethical, and operational requirements.
Chief Medical Director:
A senior licensed medical authority appointed by the Department of Justice to preside over the San Andreas Medical Authority (SAMA). The Chief Medical Director holds supreme responsibility for all clinical governance within SAMS, including establishing hospital standards, authorising surgical practices, approving treatment protocols, certifying medical personnel, and ensuring full compliance with State medical regulations, ethics, and SAMA directives.
Assistant Medical Director:
A licensed medical authority appointed by the Department of Justice to support the Chief Medical Director within the San Andreas Medical Authority (SAMA). The Assistant Medical Director assists in overseeing clinical governance, maintaining hospital and surgical standards, managing certifications, reviewing treatment protocols, and ensuring adherence to authorised medical procedures, regulatory requirements, and SAMA-issued policies across all SAMS operations.
San Andreas Medical Services (SAMS):
The State-recognised emergency medical, hospital care, and rescue provider responsible for pre-hospital treatment, patient transport, in-hospital care, and specialised rescue operations.
SAMS Chief's: A member of SAMS High Command, Responsible for overseeing the entire SAMS strategic planning and organisational goals, and makes the final decision on disciplinary matters and decisions brought to them.
Lieutenant: A member of the SAMS Command. Responsible for leading the shift. If Complaints/Issues can't be resolved by paramedics, lieutenants can take over. They can also give in-character punishments and are responsible for overseeing the FTO program and training for certification.
Paramedic:
A Member of SAMS who is in charge of running the FTO program and being the first point for Complaints/Issues & and conducting interviews. They also assist the command in decision-making within the department.
Senior Emergency Medical Technician (S-EMT):
A More Senior EMT who has shown dedication to SAMS; they assist command by ensuring EMTs/trainees are attending calls, and they can also become an FTI. They can also obtain more advanced certificatio
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT):
A fully trained EMT who has completed their trainee phase; they can earn additional certifications. They can earn the FTO to help trainees with mandatory certs. Finally, they can take Civilians on authorised ride-alongs
Traniee: New hires to the SAMS learn the basics by shadowing experienced SAMS personnel and gaining knowledge
Approved Cetrification:
Hospital Practitioner:
A SAMS-certified medical professional authorised to provide in-hospital care, postoperative treatment, and medical oversight under the Medical Director.
Surgery:
A medically qualified practitioner authorised by the Medical Director to conduct invasive surgical procedures within authorised SAMS medical facilities.
Aero-Medical (Angel One) Operations:
Emergency medical response and patient transport delivered via helicopter or other aircraft for critical, remote, or time-sensitive incidents.
Search And Rescue:
Mountain rescue, high-angle, water rescue, or any emergency extraction requiring specialised equipment and training.
Veterinary Practitioner:
A licensed animal healthcare professional authorised to provide medical assessment, treatment, and emergency care to animals. Veterinary Practitioners may be requested to support State agencies in incidents involving injured service animals, wildlife, or situations requiring specialised animal medical expertise.
Mental Health Practitioner:
A licensed and trained professional authorised to assess, diagnose, and provide therapeutic intervention for individuals experiencing mental health crises or psychiatric conditions. Mental Health Practitioners may be deployed by SAMS or requested by State agencies to support crisis response, conduct mental health evaluations, manage behavioural emergencies, and ensure the safe and ethical treatment of individuals requiring psychological care.
Section 2 – Oversight and Command Structure
The Department of Justice (DOJ) holds supreme administrative and clinical oversight of SAMS.
The DOJ may:
- Appoint, suspend, or remove the Medical Director.
- Review hospital practices, surgical standards, and Air Med safety protocols.
- Conduct clinical audits and investigations into medical incidents.
The Medical Director is the highest medical authority and is responsible for:
- Certifying EMTs, Paramedics, Hospital Practitioners, and Surgeons.
- Approving clinical protocols, surgical procedures, and hospital standards.
- Ensuring compliance with State healthcare regulations and ethics.
Section 3 – Emergency Medical Responsibilities
SAMS is the primary medical response agency for pre-hospital emergencies.
Responsibilities include:
- On-scene life-saving interventions.
- Cardiovascular, trauma, and respiratory stabilisation.
- Administration of BLS and ALS procedures.
- Medical support during major incidents (MCIs).
- Preservation of medically relevant evidence for legal purposes.
SAMS may request law enforcement assistance for scene safety, crowd control, or hazardous environment protection.
Section 4 – Hospital Care Responsibilities
SAMS is responsible for in-hospital patient care, including:
- Emergency department operations.
- Intensive care and postoperative monitoring.
- Long-term medical stabilisation.
- Patient discharge decisions.
- Documentation and maintenance of medical records.
All hospital care must comply with clinical protocols issued by the Medical Director.
SAMS hospital units shall maintain:
- Trained clinical staff.
- Life-support certified practitioners.
- Adequate surgical, trauma, and ICU-capable facilities.
Section 5 – Surgical Procedures
Only SAMS-authorised Surgeons may conduct surgical procedures within SAMS medical facilities.
The Medical Director must approve:
- Surgical authorisation pathways.
- Permitted invasive procedures.
- Emergency surgical protocols.
Surgery includes, but is not limited to:
- Trauma surgery.
- Organ-related procedures.
- Craniotomy or neuro-surgical emergencies.
- Internal bleeding control.
- Orthopaedic stabilisation.
- Any invasive life-saving operation.
Performing surgery without proper certification constitutes a disciplinary and potentially criminal offense.
Section 6 – Aero-Medical (Air Med) Operations
SAMS shall operate an Air Med division, responsible for:
- Rapid deployment to high-risk or remote areas.
- Airborne critical care transport.
- Inter-facility transfers for patients requiring urgent specialist treatment.
- Search, extraction, and evacuation during emergencies.
Air Med pilots and medical staff must meet standards set by the Medical Director and aviation regulations.
Air Med may operate in:
- Mountain regions.
- Offshore areas.
- Wilderness terrain.
- Large-scale disaster zones.
Section 7 – Specialised Rescue Jurisdiction
SAMS is recognised as the Primary Response Agency for:
- Mountain rescue
- Wilderness emergencies
- Water rescue, including flood, river, ocean, and swift-water.
SAMS may:
- Declare Rescue Zones.
- Restrict access to hazardous areas.
- Request support from LSPD.
Section 8 – Inter-Agency Cooperation
SAMS shall coordinate with:
- Los Santos Police Department (LSPD)
Law enforcement must ensure scene safety prior to SAMS entry unless immediate action is required to preserve life.
Section 9 – Severability
If any part of this Act is deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions remain in full effect.
Section 10 – Effective Date
This Act shall take immediate effect and apply to all SAMS personnel and operations statewide.
Signatories
- Justice Bailey Harvey
- Justice Peter Brackley
- Justice Mina Mercy
- Justice James Anderson