§§1,2
C.26:2K-75
and 26:2K-76
§§3,4
Note
An Act concerning EMTs, glucagon administration, and blood glucose testing, and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Health.
“Emergency glucagon” means a medication used when a person with diabetes is experiencing severe hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, and cannot take sugar orally. Once injected the medication raises the injected person’s blood sugar.
"Emergency medical technician" means a person trained in basic life support services as defined in section 1 of P.L.1985, c.351 (C.26:2K-21) and who is certified by the Department of Health to provide that level of care.
“Glucagon” means a hormone that the human body produces to prevent low blood sugar, which comes in several forms including a nasal spray, auto-injectors, prefilled syringes, or a powder that must be mixed with a liquid before injecting.
2. a. The commissioner shall establish written standards 2[and] , protocols, or2 application procedures which an emergency medical technician shall meet in order to obtain 2[certification] authorization2 to 2independently2 administer glucagon and blood glucose tests 2[. The commissioner shall certify a candidate who:
(1) provides evidence of satisfactory completion of an educational program which is approved by the commissioner and includes training in the administration of blood glucose tests and emergency glucagon using an auto-injector device; and
(2) passes an examination in the administration of a blood glucose test and emergency glucagon using an auto-injector device, as approved by the commissioner] , which may include training and authorized forms of glucagon administration, which authorized forms shall at minimum include an auto-injector device2.
b. An emergency medical technician who has been 2[certified] authorized2 by the commissioner pursuant to subsection a. of this section to administer emergency glucagon 2[using an auto-injector device]2 shall administer, maintain, and dispose of the device in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner.
c. 1The commissioner may by regulation or order modify, suspend, or terminate the 2[certification] authorization2 of an 2individual2 emergency medical technician to administer glucagon 2[and] or2 blood glucose tests, obtained pursuant to this section, if necessary for public health, safety, or welfare. 2The commissioner may, by written standards, protocols, or regulation, require the emergency medical technician to transfer the patient to an acute care hospital, unless the patient or their legally authorized representative refuses the transfer.2
d.1 The commissioner 2[shall] may2 maintain a registry of all persons 2[certified] authorized2 pursuant to this section, which 2[shall] may2 include, but not be limited to:
(1) the person's name and residence; and
(2) the date that 2[certification] authorization2 was granted.
1[d.] e.1 The commissioner 2[shall] may2 annually compile a list of emergency medical technicians who have obtained 2[certification] authorization2 to administer blood glucose tests 2[and] and/or2 emergency glucagon 2[using an auto-injector device]2 pursuant to this section, which shall be available to the public.
1[e.] f.1 A fee may be charged to a person enrolled in an educational program approved by the department which includes training in the administration of blood glucose tests and emergency glucagon 2[using an auto-injector device]2 in order to cover the cost of training and testing for certification pursuant to this section, if the entity that provides the educational program is not reimbursed for the cost of that training and testing from the "Emergency Medical Technician Training Fund" established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1992, c.143 (C.26:2K-56).
3. The Commissioner of Health may adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), if necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.
4. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month after enactment.
Extends permission to administer glucagon and blood glucose tests to EMTs.