This bill seeks to improve the licensure and certification processes for emergency medical responders (EMRs), emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and mobility assistance vehicle operators (MAVOs) in New Jersey. It introduces new definitions for these roles and establishes minimum staffing requirements for emergency medical service units. Key provisions include the authority for the commissioner to summarily suspend licenses if public health and safety are threatened, and the requirement for criminal history background checks for all candidates. The bill also specifies that individuals cannot advertise themselves as licensed unless they possess the appropriate credentials, reinforcing the need for compliance with established standards and regulations.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws concerning the transportation of students with special needs, allowing designated personnel to transport school children in smaller vehicles without a school bus driver license, provided they meet certain qualifications. It establishes a framework for the licensure and certification of EMRs, EMTs, and MAVOs, including the completion of approved educational programs and examinations. The bill also emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation for individuals with past convictions, allowing them to demonstrate their fitness for licensure. Furthermore, it mandates electronic patient care reporting for non-emergency medical transportation services and requires data collection to assess the quality of emergency medical services in the state, while repealing outdated laws related to EMT designations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:2K-7, 26:2K-9, 26:2K-13, 26:2K-14, 26:2K-20, 26:2K-65, 26:2K-65.1, 26:2K-65.2, 26:2K-65.3, 26:2K-66, 18A:39-20.1, 30:4D-6.2, 30:4D-6.4