Bill > A3077

Introduced Session

This bill allows a person who possesses an EMT certification in good standing from another state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to obtain a New Jersey EMT certification from the Commissioner of Health provided that the standards of the other jurisdiction exceed or are equal to New Jersey's certification standard and is not disqualified under this bill. The Commissioner of Health is required to make a determination upon candidates' applications for EMT certification within 30 days of the receipt of the complete application and criminal history records background check. The bill also provides that an EMT certified by the department prior to the bill's enactment is required to undergo a criminal history record background check following the bill's enactment upon renewal of the certification. A follow-up criminal history record background check of federal records is to be conducted at least once every three years as a condition of recertification for every EMT. The bill establishes certain crimes for which a person would be disqualified from receiving an EMT certification. Those crimes or offenses include: homicide; assault; kidnapping; sexual assault; robbery; arson; causing or risking widespread injury or damage; crimes or offenses involving forgery; crimes or offenses against the family, children or incompetents, meaning those crimes and disorderly persons offenses set forth in N.J.S.2C:24-1 et seq.; certain crimes involving theft; certain crimes involving controlled dangerous substances; and sex offenses for which a person would be required to register under Megan's Law. A person with a disqualifying criminal record would be entitled to affirmatively demonstrate to the commissioner clear and convincing evidence of the rehabilitation under certain circumstances. A person convicted of Megan's Law sex offenses would not be entitled to demonstrate evidence of rehabilitation. The commissioner shall not issue an EMT certification or shall revoke a certification of a person who refuses to consent to or cooperate in securing a criminal history background check. The bill also provides for a written notice of criminal history disqualification and a request for a hearing on the accuracy of a person's criminal history record information or on the demonstration of the rehabilitation of the person from a listed crime or offense. The Department of Health may require an EMT certification candidate to bear the costs of a criminal history record background check.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Don Guardian (R)*,  Shama Haider (D),  Pam Lampitt (D),  Yvonne Lopez (D),  Bill Moen (D),  Carol Murphy (D), 

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2023, c.229. (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document