Christie Conditionally Vetoes EMS Bill

ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 2095

(Second Reprint)

To the General Assembly:

Pursuant to Article V, Section I, Paragraph 14 of the New Jersey Constitution, I am returning Assembly Bill No. 2095 (Second Reprint) with my recommendations for reconsideration. This legislation would make significant changes to our Emergency Medical Services (“EMS”) system. In particular, under the bill, the Office of Emergency Medical Services in the Department of Health and Senior Services (“DHSS”) would serve as the lead State agency for the oversight of EMS delivery in the State. DHSS would be responsible for licensing all EMS personnel, agencies providing pre-hospital and inter-facility care, and emergency medical vehicles used throughout the State. The bill would also make changes to the various boards that advise the Commissioner of DHSS with respect to New Jersey’s EMS system.

While this legislation is well-intentioned and suggests several potential changes that seek to create a more coherent regulatory structure for the State’s EMS system, I am advised that implementation of the requirements and commitments provided for in the bill would cost the State and municipalities across the State millions of dollars.

The New Jersey Constitution calls for a single appropriation law for each fiscal year. The cost commitments that would be required by this bill should not be considered piece meal, but rather as part of the budget process. While I recognize the need for evaluating our EMS delivery system in order to improve service and accountability, I am acutely aware of the fact that our volunteers, who have served under the current statutory and regulatory scheme for several decades, provide critical services to the citizens of New Jersey and have done so for well over 100 years. While this bill is an important step in highlighting the need for certain improvements in our EMS system, the changes in this bill raise a multitude of new issues that need to be thoughtfully considered before our current system of emergency care is disturbed. Therefore, I recommend that the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services undertake a review of the State’s existing emergency medical services, and the changes proposed in this bill, and develop findings and recommendations on how New Jersey can more efficiently and effectively upgrade our EMS delivery system and report directly to me no later than six months after the enactment of this bill. In particular, I recommend that the Commissioner examine the impact of, and make recommendations on, the changes proposed by this bill as they relate to the following areas : property taxes; volunteerism; background checks; disqualifying convictions; licensure versus certification; the fiscal impact to the State budget; technology upgrades; and opportunities for regionalization or shared services.

Any changes to our emergency medical services system raise important issues that should be responsibly and carefully considered. My recommendations will ensure the proper attention to consider any alterations, and preserves our State’s tradition of outstanding and exemplary emergency care. Accordingly, I herewith return Assembly Bill No. 2095 (Second Reprint) and recommend that it be amended as follows: Page 2, Title, Lines 2-3: After “Statutes” delete “and revising various parts of the statutory law”

Page 2, Section 1, Line 8: Delete “Section 1 of P.L.1984, c. 146 (C.26:2K-7) is amended to read” and insert “The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall undertake a review of New Jersey’s emergency medical services delivery system and shall report any findings and recommendations directly to the Governor no later than 6 months from the date of enactment of this act. Specifically, the Commissioner shall examine the impact of, and make recommendations on, the following areas: property taxes; volunteerism; background checks; disqualifying convictions; licensure versus certification; the fiscal impact to the State budget; technology upgrades; and opportunities for regionalization or shared services.”

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Respectfully,
[seal] /s/ Chris Christie
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Kevin M. O’Dowd
Deputy Chief Counsel to the Governor