Contra Costa Times
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With considerable opportunity for misconduct and danger to the public, one might think that emergency medical technicians would have to undergo mandatory background checks. Amazingly, that is not the case in all counties in California.
Last year, the Sacramento Bee revealed that paramedics who were stripped of state licenses for sexual misconduct and patient neglect were able to get jobs as EMTs in ambulances, fire departments and hospitals.
That situation never should have been allowed to occur. Anyone working with people in need of medical assistance should be well-qualified and of good character.
The only way to assure the public that those requirements are met is for the state to require extensive background checks.
Fortunately, however belatedly, the Legislature has passed a bill that would mandate all of the state’s EMTs to undergo criminal background checks.
It is the second time around for the measure, which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger rejected last year because of some last-minute changes he opposed.
This time, the governor says he will sign the legislation, but, like any other bills, he will not sign it until after the state budget is passed.
In addition to background checks, the measure, Assembly Bill 2917 by Alberto Torrico, D-Newark, would require EMTs to be certified in the county where they work and would create a statewide EMT registry.
These changes should go a long way in weeding out unsuitable EMTs and prevent those who were fired from getting similar jobs in counties that do not do background checks.
The central registry also will allow emergency response officials to locate EMTs when help is needed in areas struck by a disaster.
The cost of the background checks and registry would be financed with increased EMT fees.
Signing this bill should be one of Schwarzenegger’s first acts after the budget is passed and at least before the Sept. 30 deadline, even if there is no budget resolution.