This bill amends section 4 of P.L.1992, c.143 (C.26:2K-57) to enhance the eligibility criteria for volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to receive funds from the Emergency Medical Technician Training Fund. It clarifies that EMTs who receive a length of service award can still qualify for these funds for certification or recertification. The definitions of "public or private institution of higher education" and "volunteer emergency medical technician" are updated to include out-of-state universities and to specify that volunteer EMTs do not receive compensation in the form of an hourly wage or salary for their services. Additionally, the bill removes redundant language regarding the exclusion of full-time hospital employees from the volunteer EMT definition.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the requirements for an EMT to be considered a volunteer in good standing during the initial three-year certification period. Instead of needing to respond to at least one service call per month, the new requirement stipulates that the EMT must complete at least 12 service calls or 150 duty hours per year. This change aims to provide a clearer and more attainable standard for maintaining volunteer status while ensuring that EMTs remain active in their roles.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:2K-57