WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 4544

Enacts the "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 13 co-sponsors

Authorizes paramedics to perform pre-hospital blood transfusions under DOH oversight with training, protocols, and inventory systems to reduce hemorrhage deaths.

SIGNED CHAP.480
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4544

Summary — S.4544 (SIGNED, Chap. 480)

Note: The text provided for S.4544 describes a pre‑hospital blood transfusion law (titled in the draft as the “Gary Letizia Pre‑Hospital Blood Transfusion Act”). The bill file metadata lists the title “Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act.” The substance below summarizes the enacted pre‑hospital blood transfusion provisions included in the supplied text.

Purpose

Authorize and regulate the administration of blood products by ground mobile paramedics in pre‑hospital settings to reduce preventable deaths from hemorrhage (trauma and obstetric hemorrhage), by creating standards, training, oversight, reimbursement, and statewide inventory/rotation systems.

Key provisions

  • Definitions: establishes terms including “blood product,” “low‑titer O whole blood,” “emergency medical services provider,” “paramedic,” “medical oversight,” and insurance definitions.
  • Program startup requirements for EMS providers:
    • Notify State Department of Health (DOH) at least 60 days before starting a program.
    • Designate a physician medical director with trauma/emergency expertise.
    • Use only paramedics who completed DOH‑approved blood administration training.
    • Have at least two trained EMS personnel present when administering blood.
    • Maintain FDA‑approved storage, warming, and transport equipment.
  • Blood handling standards:
    • Default anticoagulant/preservative: CPDA‑1 unless DOH approves an alternative.
    • Follow FDA blood storage/handling rules, AABB standards, and DOH guidelines.
  • Clinical scope:
    • Paramedics (under medical oversight) may transfuse in cases of significant hemorrhage/hemorrhagic shock, following DOH‑approved protocols.
    • No on‑scene physician approval required; must notify receiving trauma/emergency center when initiating transfusion.
    • Obtain informed consent when feasible; otherwise proceed under implied consent in emergencies.
  • Quality, reporting and safety:
    • EMS agencies must conduct quarterly audits and submit annual reports on outcomes and protocol compliance.
    • Protocols required for recognizing/managing transfusion reactions.
  • Supply management:
    • DOH to coordinate with blood banks/hospitals to ensure availability of low‑titer O whole blood.
    • DOH to implement a statewide blood rotation system: real‑time tracking, routine rotation with hospitals, transfer of units within 10 days of expiration back to hospitals for clinical use, and digital inventory coordination.
  • Funding and reimbursement:
    • DOH to establish a grant program to help EMS with start‑up costs (storage/transport equipment, warming/infusion devices, training).
    • NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid to cover pre‑hospital transfusions on same basis as in‑hospital services, aligned to CMS Advanced Life Support Level 2 billing code; reimbursement rates to reflect costs of blood, storage, and administration.
    • Private insurers required to provide comparable coverage consistent with federal reimbursement standards.

Who is affected

  • EMS agencies and mobile intensive care paramedics (training, equipment, protocols).
  • Hospitals and blood banks (supply coordination, inventory rotation).
  • Patients encountering traumatic or obstetric hemorrhage (greater access to early transfusion).
  • Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries and private insurers (coverage and reimbursement obligations).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • DOH rulemaking and program approvals required (60‑day notification before program start).
  • Quarterly audits and annual reports required of participating EMS providers.
  • The bill proceeded through legislative committees, passed both houses (June 2025), was delivered to the Governor and was signed into law (Chapter 480) on October 23, 2025.

Caveats

  • The available text was truncated in places; implementing regulations, specific grant funding details, and some operational details will be established by the Department of Health in subsequent guidance and rulemaking. Also note the title discrepancy between the metadata and the bill text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.