Relative to provisional licenses for new applicants for state emergency medical services licensure.
Impact
The bill modifies RSA 153-A:11 to include guidelines for the issuance of these provisional licenses. With this law, those who pass the required examinations can start working under direct supervision while they wait for their background checks to be processed. This is seen as a significant step to address workforce shortages in emergency medical services, which has been a growing concern in recent years. By enabling quicker licensing, the state aims to ensure that services can continue to meet community needs, especially in critical situations.
Summary
House Bill 1057 addresses the licensure process for emergency medical services (EMS) providers in the state of New Hampshire. The key provision of this bill allows applicants for initial licensure as emergency medical care providers to receive a temporary, provisional license while they await the results of their criminal records checks. This change is aimed at streamlining the entry of new applicants into the EMS field by reducing the waiting time that may occur when a criminal history record check takes longer than three weeks.
Conclusion
Overall, House Bill 1057 is a proactive approach to adjusting state law to better meet the demands of healthcare provisioning in emergency situations. By allowing provisional licenses, the state not only facilitates a more efficient licensure process but also aims to enhance the responsiveness of emergency medical services in the community.
Contention
While the bill appears to offer broad benefits, there may be concerns regarding the supervision requirements stipulated for provisional license holders. Critics may argue that allowing individuals to operate while their background checks are pending could pose risks to patient safety and public trust in emergency care. However, proponents of the bill emphasize the importance of maintaining a steady flow of qualified personnel in emergency services, suggesting that with proper supervision, any risks can be mitigated.
Relative to licensure requirements for telehealth services and relative to licensure of physicians and physicians assistants treating patients incarcerated with the department of corrections.