S1099B1419A03595 AJB:MAC 03/15/24 #90 A03595
AMENDMENTS TO SENATE BILL NO. 1099
Sponsor: SENATOR MASTRIANO
Printer's No. 1419
Amend Bill, page 1, line 3, by inserting after "for"
definitions, for
Amend Bill, page 1, line 4, by striking out "and" where it
occurs the second time and inserting a comma
Amend Bill, page 1, line 4, by inserting after "grants,"
for consolidation incentive, for publication and notice and for
award of grants,
Amend Bill, page 1, lines 16 through 18, by striking out all
of said lines and inserting
Section 1. The definitions of "career emergency medical
services," "invalid coach" and "volunteer EMS company" in
section 7802 of Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes are amended to read:
ยง 7802. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Career emergency medical services." As follows:
(1) A for-profit chartered emergency medical service
corporation, association or organization which meets all of
the following:
(i) Is located in this Commonwealth.
(ii) Is licensed by the Department of Health.
(iii) Is not associated or affiliated with a
hospital, unless recognized in accordance with section
7823(b.1) (relating to award of grants).
(iv) Is regularly engaged in the provision of
emergency medical services, including basic life support
or advanced life support services and advanced life
support squads as defined in 28 Pa. Code ยง 1027.1
(relating to general provisions).
(2) The term shall not include a corporation,
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association or organization that is primarily engaged in the
[operation of invalid coaches which are intended for the]
routine transport of individuals who are convalescent or
nonambulatory and who do not ordinarily require emergency
medical treatment while in transit.
* * *
["Invalid coach." The term shall have the meaning given to
it in Chapter 81 (relating to emergency medical services
system).]
"Volunteer EMS company." Any nonprofit chartered
corporation, association or organization located in this
Commonwealth, which is licensed by the Department of Health and
is not associated or affiliated with any hospital, unless
recognized in accordance with section 7823(b.1) (relating to
award of grants), and which is regularly engaged in the
provision of emergency medical services, including basic life
support or advanced life support services and advanced life
support squads as defined in 28 Pa. Code ยง 1027.1 (relating to
general provisions). The term shall not include any corporation,
association or organization that is primarily engaged in the
[operation of invalid coaches which are intended for the]
routine transport of persons who are convalescent or otherwise
nonambulatory and do not ordinarily require emergency medical
treatment while in transit.
* * *
Section 2. Section 7812 of Title 35 is amended to read:
Amend Bill, page 2, by inserting between lines 6 and 7
Section 3. Section 7813(a)(7), (a.2), (c)(2), (d) and (e)
introductory paragraph and (2)(i) of Title 35 are amended and
the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
Amend Bill, page 2, line 22, by striking out all of said line
and inserting
(a.3) Additional grants.--The commissioner may establish a
certification bonus point system to award additional grants to
fire companies. The commissioner shall submit the certification
bonus point system to the Legislative Reference Bureau for
publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania
Bulletin concurrently with the notice required under section
7812 (relating to publication and notice).
* * *
(c) Time for filing application and department action.--
* * *
(2) Fire companies seeking grants under this chapter
shall submit completed applications to the commissioner and
the municipalities where the fire companies are located. The
following shall apply:
(i) The application period shall remain open for 45
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days each year. The agency shall act to approve or
disapprove applications within 60 days of the application
submission deadline each year. Applications which have
not been approved or disapproved by the commissioner
within 60 days after the close of the application period
each year shall be deemed approved.
(ii) The commissioner may extend the application
period under subparagraph (i) for up to 45 additional
days for a single fire company, upon request by the fire
company, if the fire company demonstrates hardship or
undue burden that prevents the fire company from
submitting a completed application within the
application period specified under subparagraph (i). A
fire company must request an extension of the application
period under subparagraph (i) within 30 days of the date
of the end of the application period. The commissioner
shall have sole discretion to determine whether a fire
company has demonstrated hardship or undue burden under
this subparagraph.
Amend Bill, page 3, lines 4 and 5, by striking out ", fire
chief and president " and inserting
or municipality
Amend Bill, page 3, line 6, by inserting after "addresses."
The fire company must submit the information required
under this paragraph no later than July 31 of the year of the
grant application.
Amend Bill, page 3, line 9, by striking out all of said line
and inserting
(5) Be designated by a municipality, by resolution or
ordinance, as a provider of fire or rescue services within
the municipality.
(e) Construction Savings Account.--A fire company may apply
for a grant under subsection (a) for the purpose of constructing
or renovating a new facility. The grant shall be deposited into
the Construction Savings Account, which is established within
the State Treasury. Money in the Construction Savings Account
may be withdrawn by application of the fire company. The
Construction Savings Account shall be administered by the
commissioner. The following shall apply:
* * *
(2) For a fire company to withdraw money from the
Construction Savings Account:
(i) The application shall contain the signatures of
two duly elected officers of the fire company or
municipality.
* * *
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Section 4. Sections 7814 and 7822 of Title 35 are amended to
read:
ยง 7814. Consolidation incentive.
If two or more [volunteer] fire companies consolidate their
use of facilities, equipment, firefighters and services, the
consolidated entity may, upon notification of the commissioner,
be eligible for a reduction of the interest rate payable on any
outstanding principal balance owed, as of the date of
consolidation, by any or all of the consolidating companies to
the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Fund for loans made
under the act of July 15, 1976 (P.L.1036, No.208), known as the
Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad
Assistance Act, or under Subchapter E of Chapter 73 (relating to
Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program). The reduction
in the interest rate payable shall be from 2% to 1%. Upon
receipt of such notification, the commissioner shall determine
and verify that the consolidated entity is in fact a bona fide
consolidated [volunteer] fire company. If the commissioner
determines that the consolidated entity is a bona fide
consolidated [volunteer] fire company, the commissioner shall
reduce the interest rate payable on any outstanding principal
balance owed to the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan
Fund for loans made under the former Volunteer Fire Company,
Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Act, or under
Subchapter E of Chapter 73, for which the consolidating
companies or the consolidated entity may be individually or
jointly responsible. The commissioner may promulgate such rules
and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions
of this section.
Amend Bill, page 3, by inserting between lines 16 and 17
Section 5. Section 7823(a)(7) and (c)(2) of Title 35 are
amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
read:
Amend Bill, page 3, line 22, by striking out all of said line
and inserting
(a.1) Additional grants.--The commissioner, in consultation
with the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, may establish a
certification bonus point system to award additional grants to
EMS companies. The commissioner shall submit the certification
bonus point system to the Legislative Reference Bureau for
publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania
Bulletin concurrently with the notice required under section
7822 (relating to publication and notice).
* * *
(c) Time for filing application and department action.--
* * *
(2) EMS companies seeking grants under this chapter
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shall submit completed applications to the commissioner. The
following shall apply:
(i) The application period shall remain open for 45
days each year. The commissioner shall act to approve or
disapprove applications within 60 days of the application
submission deadline each year. Applications which have
not been approved or disapproved by the commissioner
within 60 days after the close of the application period
each year shall be deemed approved.
(ii) The commissioner may extend the application
period under subparagraph (i) for up to 45 additional
days for a single EMS company, upon request by the fire
company, if the EMS company demonstrates hardship or
undue burden that prevents the EMS company from
submitting a completed application within the
application period specified under subparagraph (i). An
EMS company must request an extension of the application
period under subparagraph (i) within 30 days of the date
of the end of the application period. The commissioner
shall have sole discretion to determine whether an EMS
company has demonstrated hardship or undue burden under
this subparagraph.
Amend Bill, page 3, line 23, by striking out "2" and
inserting
6
Amend Bill, page 8, line 27, by striking out "3" and
inserting
7
Amend Bill, page 9, line 3, by striking out "4" and inserting
8
Amend Bill, page 9, line 17, by striking out "5" and
inserting
9
Amend Bill, page 9, line 29, by striking out "6" and
inserting
10
Amend Bill, page 9, line 29, by striking out "60" and
inserting
30
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