NJ A5640

Designates basic life support (BLS) services, including ambulance transport, CPR, patient stabilization, and emergency care, as essential services in New Jersey

Requires every municipality to arrange for BLS services to meet population needs through one of four methods: licensing/franchising a private company, contracting with public/private/nonprofit entities, entering mutual aid agreements with other municipalities, or partnering with hospitals

Grants hospitals operating Level 1 trauma centers the right of first refusal to provide both advanced and basic life support services in their municipality at no charge, unless the municipality already provides BLS as a municipal or shared service

Appropriates funds from the General Fund to the Department of Health to reimburse municipalities for costs of establishing BLS as an essential service, subject to certification by the Commissioner of Health

Takes effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment