HB 1786 — An Act amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in incentives for municipal volunteers of fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical services agencies, establishing the First Responder Loan Forgiveness Program; and making editorial changes.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.

2376 PRINTER'STHE NO.GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.

25091786 THE2019 GENERALINTRODUCED ASSEMBLYBY OFSAINATO, PENNSYLVANIABARRAR, HOUSESTRUZZI, BILLMcCLINTON, SessionYOUNGBLOOD, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, PETRARCA, JAMES, READSHAW, FREEMAN, DEASY, DAVIDSON, KIM, SCHLOSSBERG, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN, WARREN, CIRESI, HOWARD AND KOSIEROWSKI, AUGUST 30, 2019 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AUGUST 30, 2019 AN ACT Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of No.the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in incentives for municipal volunteers agencies, establishing the First Responder Loan Forgiveness Program;

1786 2019 INTRODUCED BY SAINATO, BARRAR, STRUZZI, McCLINTON, YOUNGBLOOD, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, PETRARCA, JAMES, READSHAW, FREEMAN, DEASY, DAVIDSON, KIM, SCHLOSSBERG, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN, WARREN, CIRESI, HOWARD, KOSIEROWSKI, RIGBY, SCHWEYER AND SNYDER, AUGUST 30, 2019 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 AN ACT AmeConsolidated Statutes, in incentives for municipal volunteers of fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical services agencies, establishing the First Responder Loan Forgiveness Program;

<-- 79A47.

79A46.

POINT SYSTEM.

<-- 79A47.

CERTIFICATION.

79A48.

REGULATIONS.

"Active first responder." A member of an emergency medical services agency or a member of a volunteer fire company or <-- volunteer rescue company.

"Emergency medical services agency." An emergency medical <-- 20190HB1786PN2509 - 2 - service corporation, association or organization which meets all of the following:

20190HB1786PN2376 - 2 - (3) 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.

AS DEFINED <-- IN SECTION 8103 (RELATING TO DEFINITIONS).

"FIRE COMPANY." A VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY.

"Volunteer fire company." A nonprofit chartered corporation, <-- association or organization located in this Commonwealth which provides fire protection or rescue services and which may offer other voluntary emergency services within this Commonwealth.

AS"Volunteer DEFINEDrescue INcompany." SECTIONA 7802nonprofit (RELATINGchartered TOcorporation, DEFINITIONS).association or organization located in this Commonwealth that provides emergency rescue services.

<-- "Volunteer rescue company." A nonprofit chartered <-- corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth that provides emergency rescue services.

AS DEFINED <-- IN SECTION 7802.

(a) Program established.--The First Responder Loan 20190HB1786PN2509 - 3 - Forgiveness Program is established.

(b) Applicants.--An active first responder who meets MUST <-- MEET the following criteria may TO apply to the agency for loan <-- forgiveness under the programprogram: THIS SUBCHAPTER:

<--20190HB1786PN2376 - 3 - (1) Is a resident of this Commonwealth.

(2) Has been an active first responder, as certified in accordance with section 79A48 79A47 (relating to <-- certification), for a period of at least one year in this Commonwealth.

(3) Has enrolled ENROLLED as a student in an approved <-- program of educationeducation. AND COMPLETED A POSTSECONDARY DEGREE OR <-- CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.

(4) Provides the approved institution of higher learning <-- AGENCY with a sworn or official statement by the Office of <-- the State Fire Commissioner CHIEF OF THE FIRE COMPANY or the <-- chief or president of the emergency medical services agency, attesting that the applicant is a member in good standing of the emergency medical services agency, volunteer fire company <-- or volunteer rescue company.

20190HB1786PN2509 - 4 - (2) Has completed a certificate or degree program at an approved institution of higher learning.

(3) Is certified as an active first responder, by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services or the Office of the <-- State Fire Commissioner, CHIEF OR PRESIDENT OF THE EMERGENCY <-- MEDICAL SERVICES OR CHIEF OF THE FIRE COMPANY, for four consecutive years preceding the date of application.

20190HB1786PN2376 - 4 - § 79A44.

(iii) Third year of active first responder status following graduation in an amount up to $8,000, but not 20190HB1786PN2509 - 5 - exceeding 50% of the original qualifying loans.

20190HB1786PN2376 - 5 - § 79A46.

<-- The agency shall promulgate regulations and adopt policies, procedures and forms as are necessary and not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter.

§ 79A4779A47. § 79A46.

<-- (a) General rule.--A point system establishing the requirements for annual certification of active first responders shall be developed and implemented by the chief or president of:

<-- (2) a volunteer rescue company;

(2) The individual's level of training and participation in formal trainingtraining. OR DRILLS.

<-- (3) Time spent by the individual on administration and 20190HB1786PN2509 - 6 - support activities, including maintenance of facilities and equipment.

(4) Involvement by the individual in FUNDRAISING AND <-- other projects that directly benefit the organization's financial viability, emergency response or operational readiness.

§ 79A4879A48. § 79A47.

<-- (a) Application.--An applicant for certification as an active first responder must submit a signed application to the chief or president of the volunteer fire company, volunteer <-- rescue company or emergency medical services agency that the applicant serves.