See below proposed PA legislation that was introduced in December that may affect your industry. If you have questions and/or concerns about any of this proposed legislation, you should reach our directly to your PA Senator or PA Representative.
Tax Return Donations to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner
Dec 21, 2020
Senator Brooks plans to reintroduce legislation that will allow Pennsylvanians to donate all or a portion of their annual Pennsylvania individual income tax return to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, for use in supporting the grant programs administered by that office.
For more information, click here.
Transition – Military Medic to Civilian EMT/Paramedic
Dec 15, 2020
Representative O’Neal plans to reintroduce House Bill 925 that will ensure that a service member’s military education and training are taken into consideration for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for professional credentials related to emergency medical services providers. Specifically, Representative O’Neal’s proposed legislation amends section 7502 of Title 51 (Military Affairs), relating to retention of licenses and certifications of persons entering military service.
For more information, click here.
Reduced Hunting and Fishing License Fees for Volunteer Firefighters
Dec 9, 2020
Senator Brooks plans to introduce legislation that will offer a reduced fee for hunting and fishing licenses for volunteer firefighters in our Commonwealth.
For more information, click here.
Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Service Personnel
Dec 3, 2020
Senator J. Ward plans to reintroduce a package of bills (Senate Bills 64-65) from last session aimed at volunteer firefighters as well as other emergency service personnel. Volunteers are a crucial part of our fire and emergency medical service delivery system in Pennsylvania. A 2018 report issued by the Senate Resolution 6 Commission, established to recommend improvements to the delivery of emergency services in the Commonwealth, stated the following: “Of Pennsylvania’s 2,462 fire companies, more than 90 percent are volunteer companies.” In addition, a 2001 study by the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute estimated that the service provided by our volunteers is valued at $6 billion annually. In today’s dollars the amount may be as high as $10 billion.
For more information, click here.
Tax Credits for Volunteer First Responders Legislation
Dec 2, 2020
Representative Owlett plans to reintroduce House Bill 1705 authorizing school districtsto enact a tax credit against the property tax liability of active volunteers of a fire or EMS company.
For more information, click here.
Reallocation of EMS Grant Funds to Increase Medicaid Reimbursement Rate
Dec 2, 2020
Senator Pittman plans to introduce legislation to reallocate the $4.5 million currently awarded to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) annually through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program (FCEMSGP), and use it to increase their Medicaid reimbursement rate for transporting Medicaid recipients. In doing so, it will allow us to capture federal funds and increase our ability to increase Medicaid reimbursements to EMS by $9 million.
For more information, click here.
Permit EMS Providers to Leave a Dose of Naloxone with a Caregiver of a Patient who Overdosed
Dec 2, 2020
Senator Phillips-Hill plans to reintroduce Senate Bill 223 from last session that will amend the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Act to permanently permit Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers to leave a dose package of life-saving naloxone with the on-scene caregiver of a patient who overdosed on opioids and was revived by the EMS, providing a standing prescription has been issued by the Department of Health.
For more information, click here.
Allowing Volunteer Fire Departments to Fund raise Online During Pandemic
Dec 2, 2020
Senator Pittman plans to reintroduce Senate 1266 from last session to allow volunteer fire departments, veterans organizations and other non-profits to conduct Small Games of Chance (SGOC) fundraisers online amidst the COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration.
For more information, click here.
Firefighter Training Pilot Program for High School Students
Dec 1, 2020
Senator Brooks plans to reintroduce Senate Bills 331 from last session, which creates a pilot program for community colleges and universities in the State System of Higher Education (SSHE) to give interested high school students training in firefighting.
For more information, click here.
Firefighter Tax Relief
Senator Stefano plans to reintroduce legislation to provide financial relief to firefighters in the Commonwealth.
For more information, click here.
Devoting Funds from 50/50 Raffles to Fire Departments
Senator Brooks plans to introduce legislation that would devote five percent of the philanthropic raffle revenue to local fire departments. Faced with limited funding, dwindling ranks, and extremely expensive equipment, our local firefighters have consistently faced steep financial challenges, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of so many essential annual fundraisers.
For more information, click here.
