ASSEMBLY, No. 2784

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MARCH 3, 1997

By Assemblyman KRAMER

An Act establishing a Pre-Hospital Advisory Council and supplementing chapter 2K of Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The Legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of this State to ensure that its residents and visitors have access to a comprehensive emergency medical services system that is State-coordinated, reasonably regulated, community-based and fully integrated with the overall health care system.

    2. As used in this act:

    a. "Advisory council" means the Pre-Hospital Care Advisory Council.

    b. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

    c. "Department" means the State Department of Health and Senior Services.

    3. a. There is created the Pre-Hospital Care Advisory Council. The council shall advise the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the Legislature on all matters concerning advanced and basic life support transport services.

    b. The advisory council shall consist of nine members appointed for a term of two years. Membership of the advisory council shall include: two members of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, who shall not be of the same political party; two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President, who shall not be of the same political party; and the President of the New Jersey State First Aid Council. The Commissioner shall appoint four members as follows: one member representing a hospital with a mobile intensive care unit licensed in New Jersey; one member of a private, licensed ambulance company; one member of a citizens' organization concerned with pre-hospital care issues; and one nationally recognized expert in the field of advanced and basic life support transport services.

    c. The General Assembly member appointed from the Majority party shall chair the advisory council. The chairperson may select a vice-chairperson from among the council members.

    The council shall organize no later than 60 days after the effective date of this act, and shall meet on a schedule determined by the chairperson, but no less than quarterly. Any vacant position on the advisory council, otherwise than by expiration of term, shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as that position would be filled at the expiration of term. The council may further organize itself as it deems appropriate.

    d. Members of the advisory council shall serve without compensation, but public members shall be reimbursed for the reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds available to the council.

    4. It shall be the duty of the advisory council to investigate the effectiveness of the emergency health services system and the problems that may exist in the administration and delivery of services, and to recommend the steps needed to resolve problems or deficits within the system. The council shall also advise the department on the formulation of policy regarding advanced and basic life support transport services.

    5. The advisory council shall annually submit a report of its recommendations to the Commissioner, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate.

    6. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill would establish the Pre-Hospital Care Advisory Council. The council would advise the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the New Jersey Legislature on all matters concerning advanced and basic life support transport services and assist in the formulation of DHSS policy concerning these services. It would be the duty of the advisory council to investigate the effectiveness of the emergency health services system and the problems that may exist in the administration and with delivery of services, and to recommend the steps needed to resolve problems or deficits within the system. The advisory council would consist of nine members who serve two year terms, would meet at least quarterly and file annually a report of its recommendations.

    The advisory council would consist of the following: two members of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker, who would not be of the same political party; two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President, who would not be of the same political party; and the President of the New Jersey State First Aid Council. The Commissioner would appoint four members as follows: one member representing a hospital with a mobile intensive care unit licensed in New Jersey; one member of a private, licensed ambulance company; one member of a citizens' organization concerned with pre-hospital care issues; and one nationally recognized expert in the field of advanced and basic life support transport services.

Establishes Pre-Hospital Care Advisory Council.