ALBANY – Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman James Skoufis (D, Woodbury) and Senator John Bonacic (R, Mt. Hope) that would require potential emergency services technicians and paramedics to be checked against the sex offender registry was signed into law by the governor.
“Emergency medical technicians treat people after some of the most traumatic and vulnerable moments of their lives,” said Skoufis. “This important law provides ambulance companies with additional tools to better vet their EMTs who are among the most well-respected and trusted members of our society.”
“Our local volunteer emergency services technicians, who are heroes in my mind, as on the front lines protecting our communities,” said Bonacic. “This legislation will give ambulance companies the ability to better screen their applicants, while also protecting the safety of the public.”
The new law, which takes effect next March, requires prospective ambulance workers to submit to background checks for any sex offense convictions. It then provides the ambulance company’s chief officer the authority to deny a prospective EMT’s application if any sex offense is found.
Skoufis worked in conjunction with the Woodbury Community Ambulance to craft the legislation.
