Senate Rejects Emt Checks

The Idaho Senate overwhelmingly rejected an administrative regulation on Tuesday that required new emergency medical personnel to undergo a criminal background check to earn state certification.

The Senate’s 27-8 vote sends the measure rejecting the Health and Welfare Department’s 6-month-old rule to the House for final legislative action. The issue has divided urban and rural emergency service providers.

“This whole thing is about choice and leaving the responsibility with the local people,” Health and Welfare Chairman Grant Ipsen, R-Boise, declared.

Drawing opposition of lawmakers was the emergency rule that required all new applicants for emergency medical services certification to undergo a criminal background check and pay the $34 cost.

Urban fire departments, including Boise and Lewiston, supported the rule as a way to protect patients. Rural emergency medical service units said the background check was an unfunded mandate that would cost them volunteers.