Paramedics and other emergency medical service providers in New Mexico will now be required to go through criminal background checks.
Gov. Susana Martinez signed into law Saturday a Senate bill that mandates the background checks be done before the state licenses an applicant or renews a license for paramedics or emergency medical technicians.
Supporters of the measure say large cities already do background screenings for fire departments and ambulance companies. They say, however, it's not enforced in smaller communities and rural areas.
The background checks take effect July 1.
Martinez signed four other bills into law, including two related to pueblos' leasing of water use. The third repeals the sunset provision of the New Mexico Medical Board and the fourth allows for a bilingual seal on public high school diplomas.
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