January 9, 2012

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. the bill, the Office of Emergency

In particular, under Services in the

Medical

Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) would serve as the lead State agency for the oversight of EMS delivery in the State. personnel, DHSS would be responsible for licensing and all EMS

agencies

providing

pre-hospital

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 Jerseys EMS system. While this legislation is well-intentioned and suggests

several potential changes that seek to create a more coherent regulatory structure for the States 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 and volunteers, regulatory who scheme have for served several under the

current

statutory

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 States 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 taxes; as they relate to the

following checks;

areas

property

volunteerism; licensure

background versus

disqualifying

convictions;

certification; the fiscal impact to the State budget; technology upgrades; services. Any changes to our emergency medical services system raise important considered. issues that should be responsibly and carefully and opportunities for regionalization or shared

My recommendations will ensure the proper attention

to consider any alterations, and preserves our States 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 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

Page 2, Section 1, Line 8:

shall undertake a review of New Jerseys 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. Page 2, Section 1, Lines 9-42: Page 3, Section 1, Lines 1-45: Page 4, Section 1, Lines 1-37: Page 4, Section 2, Lines 39-44: Page 5, Section 2, Lines 1-38: Page 5, Section 3, Lines 40-45: Page 6, Section 3, Lines 1-2: Page 6, Section 4, Lines 4-22: Page 6, Section 5, Lines 24-46: Page 7, Section 5, Lines 1-9: Page 7, Section 6, Lines 11-48: Page 8, Section 6, Lines 1-40: Page 8, Section 7, Lines 42-48: Page 9, Section 7, Lines 1-39: Page 9, Section 8, Lines 41-48: Page 10, Section 8, Lines 1-11: Page 10, Section 9, Lines 13-27: Page 10, Section 10, Lines 29-42: Page 10, Section 11, Lines 44-47: Page 11, Section 11, Lines 1-9: Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety

Page 11, Section 12, Lines 11-21: Page 11, Section 13, Lines 23-48: Page 12, Section 13, Lines 1-46: Page 13, Section 13, Lines 1-22: Page 13, Section 14, Lines 24-40: Page 13, Section 15, Lines 42- 47: Page 14, Section 15, Lines 1-35: Page 14, Section 16, Lines 37-46: Page 15, Section 16, Lines 1-5: Page 15, Section 17, Lines 7-14: Page 15, Section 18, Lines 16-24: Page 15, Section 19, Lines 26-46: Page 16, Section 19, Lines 1-13: Page 17, Section 20, Lines 26-40: Page 17, Section 21, Lines 42-46: Page 18, Section 21, Lines 1-14: Page 18, Section 22, Lines 16-47: Page 19, Section 22, Lines 1-34: Page 20, Section 23, Lines 26-46: Page 21, Section 23, Lines 1-12: Page 21, Section 24, Lines 14-37: Page 21, Section 25, Lines 39-47: Page 22, Section 25, Lines 1-9: Page 23, Section 26, Lines 38-48: Page 24, Section 26, Lines 1-27: Page 24, Section 27, Lines 29-46: Page 25, Section 27, Lines 1-3: Page 25, Section 28, Lines 5-38: Page 26, Section 29, Lines 20-31: Page 26, Section 30, Line 33: Page 26, Section 30, Line 33:

Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete in their entirety Delete 30. and insert 2. After effect delete the 180th day after insert immediately. on and

Page 26, Section 30, Lines 34-36:

Delete in their entirety Respectfully,

[seal]

/s/ Chris Christie Governor

Attest: /s/ Kevin M. ODowd Deputy Chief Counsel to the Governor