House Bill No. 265, introduced by Representative Mena, amends existing laws regarding the employment of ambulance personnel with criminal records. The bill removes certain prohibitions on hiring individuals with a criminal history, specifically eliminating offenses such as aggravated arson, first degree robbery, extortion, identity theft (for amounts between $200 and $1,000), and possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances from the list of disqualifying convictions. However, it maintains that individuals convicted of felony theft or theft of assets from vulnerable populations will still be ineligible for employment.

Additionally, the bill establishes new criteria for evaluating the eligibility of licensed and nonlicensed ambulance personnel based on their criminal records. It stipulates that a person cannot be disqualified solely due to a prior conviction unless it directly relates to the job they are applying for. Employers must consider various factors, including the nature of the offense, the time elapsed since the conviction, and any evidence of rehabilitation when determining the relevance of a criminal record to the position sought. This legislative change aims to create a more equitable hiring process for ambulance personnel while ensuring public safety.

Statutes affected:
HB265 Original: 40:3(F), 40:3(A)
HB265 Engrossed: 40:3(A)