TRENTON, N.J. — The N.J. State Senate has passed a bill requiring all paramedics and EMTs to pass a criminal background check to acquire a license.
The proposal still must clear the Assembly and Gov. Chris Christie before being enacted as law.
The Senate was split on the bill, approving it with a 22-16 vote, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
A similar proposal was passed earlier this year, but Christie vetoed it, citing unknown financial consequences.
A state analyst said the new requirement would lead to a “probable increase in administrative and training costs” but could not give a specific amount. The bill does not specify who would pay for fees involved with background checks, but the analyst said the state may have to absorb the costs.
Volunteer EMS personnel are not subject to the new requirement.