NM bill to require checks for medics moves ahead
Possible law would require responders to submit to a national criminal background check
By Milan Simonich
Las Cruces Sun-News
SANTA FE, N.M. — A bill that would require criminal background checks for paramedics and emergency medical technicians cleared another hurdle Tuesday.
Members of the Senate Public Affairs Committee passed the measure, the second committee to endorse it.
The sponsor, Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, said in an interview that he was optimistic it would become law.
His bill would require applicants and license holders under the Emergency Medical Services Act to submit to a national criminal background check.
They would have to pay for the investigation and fingerprinting, but the fee could not exceed $75, according to Rue's bill.
He said he decided to push the measure because of a case in which an EMT from the Albuquerque area got into trouble elsewhere, and police discovered he had a criminal record.
"People needing emergency care in their homes are in a very helpless situation," Rue said. "They need to feel confident that the people they are allowing in when they are most vulnerable are not criminals who could do them more harm."
Rue's proposal is SB 116.
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