911 Emergency Care Bill to Get a Second Look

Christie conditionally vetoes licenses and criminal checks for EMS workers -- lawmakers say they will look at costs in new session.

A bill that would provide first aid to the state's emergency medical services was conditionally vetoed on Monday by Gov. Chris Christie. The measure would require licenses and criminal background checks for all EMS workers and seeks to improve 911 care and response times. Sen. Joseph F. Vitale (D-Middlesex), incoming chairman of the Senate's health committee, let the measure expire and said lawmakers would retool it in the new session. "I think we're almost there," Vitale said. Christie cited the bill's potential cost and directed the NJ Department of Health to study the licensure issue. "While this legislation is well-intentioned and suggests several potential changes that seek to create a more coherent regulatory structure for the state'…

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