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Measure Enacted to
Update EMS Law, Improve Patient Care and Public Safety
Legislation to modernize, standardize and improve Pennsylvania's Emergency
Medical Services Law to ensure high levels of patient care and greater public
safety was signed into law.
Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and
Emergency Preparedness Committee, introduced the measure, now
Act 37 of 2009, to replace the previous
Emergency Medical Services Law with one that is more coordinated and responsive
to the current EMS needs of the state.
In the 1980s, most EMS organizations were adjuncts of local fire companies. But
today, only about a third are volunteer. Changes in workforce, technology and
service configurations made it necessary to revamp the existing law to reflect
current practices and protocols.
The modern system is made up of 53,000 EMS providers operating 1,014 ambulance
services. Those providers responded to more than 1.8 million patient encounters
in 2008 – or a dispatch every 18 seconds. The state law no longer reflected the
fast-response, high-tech, crisis-centered world.
Act 37 adopts national education standards, allows for new provider
certification levels, and defines the role played by the state Department of
Health and the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
Committee Acts to Improve Nonprofit
Fundraising Options
The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), approved
legislation increasing prize limits for small games of chance and another bill
that would make several changes to Pennsylvania's Bingo Law.
Many charitable and non-profit organizations, such as volunteer fire
companies and community groups, use bingo and small games of chance as
fundraising tools. The changes in these bills are intended to help
groups raise funds that support the organization's mission and are used for the
benefit of the community.
Senate Bill 211, sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon), raises the prize
limit for any one game from $500 to $1,000, and replaces the $5,000 weekly prize
limit with a $20,000 weekly cash value prize limit. Payouts of less than $26
would not count toward the weekly prize limit.
The committee also approved
Senate Bill 212, sponsored by Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny), which would make
several changes to Pennsylvania's Bingo Law. It increases the daily award limit
from $4,000 to $8,000 and allows multiple associations to lease the same
premises for conducting bingo, among other changes.
More Information
2007-2008
Senate Approves
Bill Creating Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement System
Legislation sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny) to assist counties and
municipalities in responding to disasters was approved by the Senate.
Act 93 of 2008 establishes
a statewide Mutual Aid Committee to oversee the implementation of a statewide
mutual aid system. Mutual Aid Agreements are used to respond to manmade
and natural disasters that require actions beyond the capacity of the
municipality or county in which the incident has occurred.
Pennsylvania was one of 15 states without a statewide Mutual Aid Agreement. As a
result, this vital assistance is often provided without written agreements or
clearly defined divisions of responsibility. This outdated approach raises
questions about liability and workers compensation concerns.
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Senate Votes to
Require VoIP providers to Forward 911 Fees to Commonwealth
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre) that
would require voice over the internet protocol (VoIP) providers who charge
customers for E-911 services to forward those fees to the Commonwealth.
In May 2005, the FCC issued an order requiring interconnected VoIP companies to
provide customers with E-911 service. Many of these companies already collect
fees for providing 911 services to customers. However, Pennsylvania currently
has no law that compels them to forward those 911 fees back to the Commonwealth
like traditional and wireless phone companies must do.
Act 72 of 2008 requires all interconnected VoIP companies to charge
customers $1 for each line and forward that money to Pennsylvania. The
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency would then provide the funds to
the counties where the customers are located.
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Senate Passes
Five-Year Extension of Fire, EMS Grants
The Senate approved legislation to reauthorize a popular grant program for
volunteer fire companies and EMS units.
Act 10 of 2007 was amended by the Senate to reauthorize the Volunteer Fire
Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Act for five years, providing a
valuable safety net for Pennsylvania's dedicated emergency responders.
Since 2000, the General Assembly has regularly appropriated $25 million to the
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to provide these grants. The
five-year authorization would allow for funding on a steady basis.
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Senate Approves
Tax Credit for Volunteer Responders
The Senate approved legislation providing a $100 tax credit for active
volunteer firefighters and EMS workers.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) authored the amendment
providing for the tax credit. The provision was included as part of
Act 66 of 2007, the tax code bill passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2008-09
budget.
The measure also directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
comprehensive study to determine whether alternative forms of personal income
tax forgiveness would be more beneficial to low-income Pennsylvanians.
More Information
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Panel to Hear Testimony on Statewide Radio System
The Senate Transportation Committee and Senate Law and Justice Committee will
hold a joint hearing on the statewide radio system at 11 a.m. on Monday, April
19, 2010, in Hearing One in the North Office Building in Harrisburg.
Agenda, Testimony, Video and Audio
Baker Bill to Revamp Emergency Medical Services Law Sent to Governor
Legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) to modernize, standardize and improve Pennsylvania's Emergency
Medical Services Law to ensure high levels of patient care and greater public
safety received final legislative approval today and will be sent to the governor for signature.
 
- Senator Baker
- Senator Waugh
Bill Clarifying Right-to-Know Law Status of Volunteer Emergency Responders
Passes Senate
Legislation to clarify the status
of volunteer emergency responders under Pennsylvania's new Right-to-Know Law has
passed the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and Senator Lisa
Baker (R-20), chair of the Senate's Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness
Committee, said
Senate Bill 851 is needed to address a Final Determination
issued earlier this year by the Office of Open Records.
Baker Bill to Revamp State's Emergency Medical Services Law
The state Senate approved
legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) that would modernize,
standardize and improve Pennsylvania's Emergency Medical Services Law to ensure
high levels of patient care and greater public safety.
Senator Baker Says Key Veterans'
Services Are Safe (PDF)
Committee OKs
Small Games of Chance Prize Increase
The Senate Finance Committee today approved
legislation increasing prize limits for small games of chance and another bill
that would make several changes to Pennsylvania's Bingo Law, according to
Committee Chairman Pat Browne, R-16th District.
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