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Bill

A 2384

Requires DOH to develop Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Carol Murphy and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a Statewide EMS Plan (with regional options) to create a coordinated, integrated EMS system in NJ, with metrics, funding, and ongoing performance improvements.

Reported out of Asm. Comm. with Amendments, and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
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Bill Summary · A 2384

Summary of Bill A-2384 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and overall goal

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) to develop and maintain a Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan. The plan aims to create a comprehensive, coordinated EMS system across the state, with short-term and long-term goals, potential regional adaptations, and ongoing performance improvement. The plan would be updated every three years and published on the department’s website.

Key provisions and changes

  • Statewide plan development and structure

    • OEMS must develop a comprehensive Statewide EMS Plan, potentially supplemented by regional EMS plans tailored to regional needs.
    • Regional plans, if used, require joint development by each regional county board of health in consultation with local boards of health and must be approved by OEMS to become part of the Statewide plan.
    • The Statewide Plan must include facilities, transportation, manpower, communications, and other core components of a unified EMS system.

  • Minimum content and activities for the plan

    • Inventory of EMS resources statewide.
    • Assessment of the current effectiveness of the EMS system.
    • Identification of needed changes to improve access and regional performance.
    • Development of performance metrics, cost estimates, and a timeline for achieving metrics; methods for monitoring progress.
    • Collaboration with medical organizations, hospitals, and public/private entities to optimize use of emergency departments for non-urgent primary care.
    • Exploration of grant and funding opportunities to support EMS programs.

  • Objectives and system features (subsection c)

    • Establish a fully integrated EMS system to reduce morbidity, hospitalizations, disability, and mortality.
    • Shorten the time from identification of a patient to definitive treatment.
    • Expand access to high-quality EMS for all New Jersey residents.
    • Promote ongoing improvement in system components (ground/water/air transport, communications, hospital EDs, training, service delivery, public health information).
    • Ensure performance improvement across scene care, transport, and hospital care.
    • Expand EMS education and training, particularly increasing paramedic and advanced life support capabilities in underserved regions.
    • Maintain processes to designate trauma centers, certified stroke centers, and other specialty centers using appropriate evaluation systems.
    • Maintain a comprehensive EMS patient care data collection and performance improvement system, aligned with the department’s reporting requirements (currently referenced from P.L.2017, c.116).
    • Collect data to designate and verify trauma and specialty centers; data collected for this purpose is not subject to public records laws.
    • Establish crisis intervention and peer support services for EMS and public safety personnel, including statewide accreditation of critical incident stress management teams led by qualified mental health professionals.
    • Coordinate with the EMS for Children program to keep the statewide program updated.
    • Create and support a statewide system of disaster response teams and related emergency support teams to assist during mass casualty events or when local resources are overwhelmed.
    • Improve EMS dispatching, including training, accrediting 911 dispatch centers, and maintaining public safety answering points.
    • Identify and disseminate best practices for EMS operations, response times, and provider management.

  • Interagency coordination

    • OEMS must coordinate with the EMS for Children program and the State trauma medical director to ensure conformity of related plans and protocols with the Statewide Plan.

Who would be affected

  • Statewide EMS providers, hospitals, trauma and stroke centers, and other specialty care facilities.
  • Regional and county boards of health, local boards of health, and EMS personnel.
  • 911 dispatch centers, public safety answering points, and EMS educators/training programs.
  • Public safety and EMS personnel benefiting from standardized crisis intervention and peer support services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The plan is to be developed by OEMS, with possible regional plans, and updated every three years.
  • The plan and any regional components must be approved by OEMS and then become part of the Statewide Plan.
  • The act takes effect 180 days after enactment.
  • Relevant state data collection and reporting obligations align with existing statutory requirements (e.g., data related to trauma centers and specialty care centers).

Effective date

  • Enactment date plus 180 days to become effective.

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

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