Codey, Corrado Legislation to Extend Certification for Paramedics, Medical Emergency Responders Passes Senate

Trenton – The Senate passed bipartisan legislation today sponsored by Senators Richard J. Codey and Kristin Corrado that would require the issuance of temporary emergency medical services certifications under certain circumstances.

Under the bill, S-3189, if the professional certification of an emergency medical technician or a paramedic is set to expire in less than 150 days during a declared state of emergency or public health emergency that has lasted longer than 90 days, the Commissioner of Health would extend the certification for six months.

“The current COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many issues, including making it difficult for first responders in the medical field to safely renew their certifications and ensure that they are able to stay on the job,” said Senator Codey (D- Essex/Morris). “This legislation would reinstate any emergency medical technician or paramedic’s certification that expired on or after December 31, 2020. Moving forward, this will greatly help those out working in the field in the height of this global pandemic.”

Under the bill, if there continues to be a declared state of emergency or public health emergency 30 days into the initial extension, the Commissioner of Health would be required to extend the certification for an additional six months. The Commissioner would extend the certification regardless of whether the emergency medical technician or paramedic has satisfied the requirements for certification and would be authorized to waive any fees, continuing education requirements, refresher course requirements, and other requirements that would otherwise apply to recertification.

The bill would take effect immediately and would be retroactive to March 9, 2020.

The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 33-0.