By EMS1 Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee bill would require EMS providers to notify the state licensing board of any felonies or misdemeanors within 10 days of the occurrence.
Herald-Citizen reported that the current law does not require EMS providers to disclose their criminal history within any certain timeframe, and officials said the licensing board can sometimes go years without knowing.
“It’s rare, but oftentimes we [the state emergency medical services board] don’t know about [a conviction] until three years later,” EMS board chairman Dr. Sullivan Smith said. “There have been a few cases pop up over the years.”
Background checks are conducted for EMS applicants, but expunged records and pending charges are not included in the information that can be accessed.
“This bill will better protect the citizens in the rare instances where someone [in the EMS field] commits a crime,” Dr. Smith said. “Being in the emergency medical services field is one of immense trust.”
“It’s a rare event, but if something does happen resulting in a charge, I want to hear it directly from the person first thing, not a rumor in the community,” Putnam County EMS director Tommy Copeland said.
If the bill passes, EMS providers could have their license suspended if they do not notify the board of charges or convictions in a timely manner.
The bill would take effect on July 1 if passed. It is set to be voted on in the Senate Monday.
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