October 25, 2022
On Friday, October 21, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law A4107, which makes various changes concerning regulation of emergency medical services (EMS); and establishes a mobile integrated health program, and new State Emergency Medical Services Director in the Department of Health (DOH).
The legislation passed the Assembly with 70 representatives voting yes, one voting no, and nine who didn't vote. It passed the Senate with 37 Senators voting in favor of the legislation, zero voting against it, and three not voting.
One key change put into effect by this legislation is that paramedics arriving on the scene of an emergency will be allowed to begin treating a patient immediately if they are by themselves. Prior to this law's passage, paramedics who were alone on the scene of an emergency were forced to wait for support from a second responder before they could begin treatment.
State Senator Robert Singer (D-District 30), a sponsor of this legislation, was quoted on ems1.com saying, "Too many paramedics find themselves in situations where people desperately need help, but their hands were tied by regulations that forced them to wait for support from another responder . . . This critical new law will save lives and ensure a faster response when people need help."
In addition to relaxing restrictions on provision of treatment by EMS workers, the law also establishes a mobile integrated health program, intended to give patients access to resources outside of hospitals, and tailored to their health. The legislation also creates the new position of State Emergency Medical Services Medical Director, within DOH to oversee clinical issues in the state.
Senator Singer also highlighted that this legislation was, in part, in response to the ongoing staffing crisis that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislation also adjusts requirements for paramedics to be licensed instead of certified, aligning with national standards. It also extends good-faith immunity to paid EMS agencies.
Click here to read more on this story, and click here to access the legislation itself.
